# EP. 143: The Meeting Hijacker: How Leaders Can Take Back Control

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/coffee-break-breaking-the-cycle-of-bullying-in-healthcare-one-cup-at-a-time-6510917/ep-143-the-meeting-hijacker-how-leaders-can-take-back-control
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/coffee-break-breaking-the-cycle-of-bullying-in-healthcare-one-cup-at-a-time-6510917/ep-143-the-meeting-hijacker-how-leaders-can-take-back-control.md
Podcast: [Coffee Break: Breaking the Cycle of Bullying in Healthcare, One Cup at a Time](https://stenobird.com/podcast/coffee-break-breaking-the-cycle-of-bullying-in-healthcare-one-cup-at-a-time-6510917)
Published: 2026-06-24T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/DHT1944098051.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.megaphone.fm/DHT1944098051.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/coffee-break-breaking-the-cycle-of-bullying-in-healthcare-one-cup-at-a-time-6510917/episodes/ep-143-the-meeting-hijacker-how-leaders-can-take-back-control
Duration seconds: 1522

## Resource

One disruptive voice can derail an entire conversation, but only if you let it. In this episode, Dr. Renee Thompson addresses a challenge many healthcare leaders face: staff members who hijack meetings and derail important conversations before they can truly begin. She explores the common behaviors that disrupt productive dialogue, including revisiting old grievances, blaming leadership, interrupting others, and speaking as though they represent the entire team, while also highlighting leadership responses that often make the situation worse. Renee explains why meeting hijacking is often a power move and emphasizes the importance of agendas, clear boundaries, and ground rules to maintain respectful, productive discussions. She also offers practical, in-the-moment strategies leaders can use to regain control, such as interrupting the interrupter, asking binary questions, and protecting the meeting's purpose without losing credibility. Tune in to learn how to respond with clarity, confidence, and authority when someone tries to take control of the room. About Dr. Renee Thompson: Dr. Renee Thompson is a leading authority on creating healthy work cultures by eliminating bullying and incivility in healthcare. With more than 31 years of experience as a clinical nurse, educator, quality manager, and executive leader, she has become one of the most sought-after experts on workplace culture. As CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute, Renee works with healthcare organizations worldwide to equip leaders with the tools they need to cultivate professional, respectful, and supportive teams. Renee is a published author, award-winning speaker, and one of only 30 nurses worldwide to earn the Certified Speaking Professional designation. She also serves on The Joint Commissio…

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## Transcript

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