Inspiring Conversations with Sandy Lisonbee of The Wolf and The Bee

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Lisonbee.

Hi Sandy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your back story.

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, which shed light on the pervasive issue of workplace harassment, the question of how to effectively address and navigate such misconduct remained. 

My partner, Cheri, and I recognized the impact of harassment on an individual’s livelihood and a company’s bottom line. We had spent a lot of time compiling information, speaking with experts, and developing a program aimed at assisting others confronted with workplace bullying, discrimination, and harassment. 

Covid provided a unique opportunity. We started The Wolf and The Bee, a non-profit, in May 2020, and now offer the Navigating Workplace Harassment User Guide (The User Guide), available for FREE on our website. We do not offer advice on what to do. Instead, The User Guide provides a roadmap of possible options, as well as the associated risks, benefits, and practical tools for each option. 

Discrimination, bullying, and harassment should not be a condition of work. We want to empower each person to make the best decision for where they are in their professional lives and account for their circumstances. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Our journey hasn’t been without its challenges. We both come from the corporate world. However, we initially underestimated the requirements for managing and operating a non-profit. That was an unexpected learning curve. Collecting donations and asking for help required a new mindset as well. 

There is an educational element to the work we do. And one of the challenges we have is getting our message and resources into the hands of people who are experiencing workplace harassment now. Our funding limits our reach. 

We are always looking for donors, volunteers, and advisors who can help support our mission. More information on supporting this work can be found at https://thewolfandthebee.org/donate/. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?

Over the last three years, with over 6,000 individuals accessing The User Guide from all 50 states and over 100 countries, we gained invaluable insights into the challenges faced by those experiencing workplace harassment.

One key revelation was the giant gap in practical, lower-risk options for addressing these issues. That option would mainly entail speaking to the person directly. However, not everyone feels comfortable, has the confidence, or knows how to confront their bully or harasser safely or effectively.

In response, we launched The BeeMail in February 2024. For a $25 donation, The BeeMail is sent on behalf of the victim to the individual engaged in inappropriate behavior. Additionally, when The BeeMail is sent, resources and exercises are provided to BOTH parties to assist them in resolving the issue when possible.

More information about The BeeMail option is available at thebeemail.org.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?

Over the last couple of years, we’ve come to recognize that the responsibility of “fixing” workplace harassment disproportionately falls on the victim. Rarely are the people causing the harm forced to deal with the consequences or even acknowledge the impact of their behavior. This lack of accountability, coupled with a lack of practical training tools, allows harmful behaviors to persist and escalate unchecked. 

We decided to take a new approach. Instead of placing the burden on the victim, we chose to direct the responsibility for accountability and resolution back to the person causing harm. Embracing the principle of compassionate accountability, we developed a workbook to assist individuals in acknowledging their actions and helping them create a resolution plan—an important job skill that has been underdeveloped. 

We are excited to launch this new program in April 2024. Updates can be found on our website thewolfandthebee.org. 

Pricing:

• FREE: The Navigating Workplace Harassment User Guide**: Offered free on our website, providing comprehensive resources for those experiencing harassment, bullying, or discrimination.
• $25 donation: The BeeMail Option.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thewolfandthebee.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewolfandthebee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WolfandtheBee
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/80035891/
• Other: https://thebeemail.org/

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