
Surviving Workplace Hostility
From TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective by TonyTidbit ™
April 30, 2026 · 12 min · Episode 369
About this episode
Dr. Nsenga Burton discusses workplace hostility and how marginalized professionals can navigate aggression while maintaining their integrity.
Episode Title: Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/surviving-workplace-hostility- Episode Video Link: In this audio episode of Need to Know with Dr. Nsenga Burton , Dr. Burton examines workplace hostility, business etiquette, microaggressions, and the professional discipline required when your identity-based perspective is challenged. Using Ta-Nehisi Coates’ composed response during a difficult interview as a framework, Dr. Burton explains how Black professionals, women, people of color, and historically disenfranchised communities can respond to aggression without sacrificing their livelihood, reputation, or peace. This episode is a sharp reminder that standing firm does not mean self-destruction. Sometimes, the real power is knowing how to defend your perspective without burning down your own house. What You Will Learn • How hostility and microaggressions show up in professional spaces • Why is composure a survival skill in workplace conflict • How lived experience shapes disagreement around power, race, and equity • Why protecting your career does not mean abandoning your truth ▶︎ In This Episode 00:00, Introduction 00:45, Business etiquette and…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Nsenga Burton
Topics covered
- workplace hostility
- microaggressions
- business etiquette
- professional discipline
- identity-based perspective
- power and race
- career protection
Keywords
- workplace conflict
- composure
- lived experience
- disrespectful disagreement
- career protection
- microaggressions
- business etiquette
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Need to Know
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