Tackling Toxicity: From Bystander to Upstander | Mauricio Velasquez

Get Mauricio's book 'Tackling Toxicity' on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/08uHkZag

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In this episode I sit down with Mauricio Velasquez, a worldwide conflict resolution and emotional intelligence consultant who has trained in over seventy five countries, from Guantanamo Bay to the White House to professional sports organizations like the MLS. We get into why most people are conflict averse and what happens when you ignore toxic behavior instead of addressing it. Mauricio breaks down the difference between reacting and responding, how to spot your own triggers before they take over, and the exact language he teaches leaders to use when someone is coming in hot. We talk through real stories from his thirty year career, from coaching a CEO who nearly destroyed his company's culture in fifteen seconds to a moment in the stands at his daughter's basketball game where he chose to stand up instead of stay silent. This conversation is about moving from bystander to upstander, in your business, your family, and your life.

Main Topics Covered

• Why most people avoid conflict instead of resolving it
• The difference between reacting and responding
• How to identify your own emotional triggers
• What to say when someone is coming in hot
• Moving from bystander to upstander
• Holding leaders and toxic employees accountable
• Building psychological safety for honest feedback
• Standing up for others in the moment

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About Mauricio:

Mauricio Velasquez is the founder and president of Diversity Training Group and the author of Tackling Toxicity: A Skill-Based Guide to Addressing Toxicity. Over his thirty year career, he has worked as a management consultant, workplace investigator, executive coach, trainer, and expert witness specializing in bias, prejudice, and hate, training more than one million employees, managers, and executives. He has worked in nearly every U.S. state and traveled to more than seventy five countries, coaching organizations ranging from the White House and Guantanamo Bay to Native American tribes, law enforcement agencies, and professional sports organizations like the MLS. Mauricio holds a BA in Economics and Psychology from the University of Virginia and an MBA in Human Resource Management from George Washington University.

Connect with Mauricio:

• Website: https://www.diversitydtg.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauricio-velasquez-mba/

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About Justin:

Justin Colby is the host of The Entrepreneur DNA and The M.O.R.E Show podcasts and a best-selling author. He is a serial entrepreneur and a seasoned real estate investor with over 20 years of experience.

Driven by a passion to help entrepreneurs thrive, Justin created the Entrepreneur DNA community to support business owners in building wealth, systems, and long-term freedom. Through his podcasts, books, education platforms, and hands-on mentorship, he continues to help entrepreneurs scale with clarity and confidence.

Connect with Justin:

• Instagram: @thejustincolby
• YouTube: Justin Colby
• TikTok: @justincolbytsof
• LinkedIn: Justin Colby

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