“I view civility as being the baseline for any type of relationship that’s going to be positive moving forward, whether it be in your professional life or your personal life. Civility encourages an environment of trust and encourages collaboration.” Ellery Williams, MCSO Captain (Ret.)

When it comes to improving workplace culture, it’s important to remember to start with the basics: treat others how you want to be treated. Civility is more than just a desirable trait, it’s a critical aspect that shapes the dynamics of interpersonal relationships at work. It fosters an environment that cultivates trust and encourages collaboration, reduces conflict, improves employee retention, and enriches the overall workplace culture.

Listen along as Former Maricopa County Sheriffs Office Captain, Ellery Williams, explains the importance of consciously nurturing civility within the workplace to enhance teamwork, cooperation, and ultimately, organizational productivity.

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Meet the Author

5559Video: The Importance of Civility

Ellery Williams

Senior Associate

Ellery has over 20 years of direct experience in detention operations, staffing, and policy implementation. He spent 24 years with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, where he worked across all major functional areas including housing, intake and release, transportation, and inmate programs. His approach is grounded in real-world operational understanding and a commitment to staff and system-level improvement. At CGL, he supports detention operations reviews, staffing analyses, and organizational assessments, helping clients implement sustainable solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and...