Blog

Toxic leaders don’t all look the same. Some command the room with charisma, and others quietly drain your confidence over time. Through my research and work with professionals navigating unhealthy workplaces, I’ve come to recognize eight distinct toxic boss types, and the Narcissistic Boss is one of the most common of them all.  The American Psychological Association describes narcissism as a “pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, an

In today’s challenging labor market, “networking” has become a common recommendation to cut through the masses of people applying online. We’re told to build our networks, grow our contacts, and “get ourselves out there.” But after years of coaching leaders and professionals across industries, I’ve come to see a profound difference between networking  and building allies , and I want to share these differences in this month’s blog.  Both are useful—both can open doors—but the

Continuing my series on the eight types of toxic bosses, and leading up to the release of my upcoming book, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner:...

This blog is part of my ongoing series on toxic bosses, and the eight distinct personas I’veidentified through my latest research on the...

What does it mean to be healthy ? It’s about balanced health : being mentally , emotionally , physically , socially , and spiritually well. If any of these components are lacking, our overall feeling of well-being is gradually depleted . If you’re like me, you focus on various components more or less often at certain points, and sometimes you’re just too busy to even consider these aspects. This is exactly why I was grateful to do a health-reset retreat in early July at the

I’ve come to understand that toxic leadership doesn’t have just one face. In my ongoing research and work with thousands of professionals...

In today’s rapidly evolving world of work, there are four – or even five – generations in many workplaces. People in each generation have...

This month’s blog is about versus bosses, because understanding the difference could be the key to protecting your career and...

The world continues to face many challenges, from geopolitical unrest to tragic wars to economic volatility. Heightened levels of polarization are causing anger, anxiety, and extreme frustration as respectful debates are often impossible. Furthermore, the rapid pace of AI and the need to keep up with technology adds extra pressure to already busy work lives. Organizations are doing more with fewer people, causing unsustainable workloads, high levels of stress, and ultimately,

As I encourage people to escape from toxic bosses, I redirect them toward looking for great leaders in healthy workplaces. But what is a great leader? That is a big question that has been researched and spoken about extensively for decades. Thousands of books exist on what makes great leadership.  When I’m asked what makes a great leader, I think of a leader who exemplifies the descriptions I’ve listed in the table below: Authentic and empathetic  Respectful  Supports people’

As I continue to research, write, and speak about toxic bosses, I’m noticing how many people have been reaching out and thanking me for...

— Winston Churchill This quote is spot on when it comes to the perils of perfectionism; it’s not a strength but rather an obstacle to our...

Toxic bosses supervise and lead in a self-promoting, narcissistic, authoritarian, unpredictable, and abusive manner (Schmidt, 2008). Our...

I’ve found myself gently nudging people to remove the word “just” when they’re explaining what they do or their achievements. For example, someone recently said to me: “I  just have an undergraduate degree.” My reaction? Four plus years of grueling hard work minimized in this way is a travesty! Remove the word just and own the degree you accomplished. Yes, some people go on to do graduate degrees, but that in no way undermines the achievement and dedication of completing an u

The great debate about hybrid work and whether to continue allowing employees to work some days remotely has persisted. Is your company...

Welcome to the second part of a blog around how we as adults can cultivate the spark in today’s young people.  Part 1 focused on the...

Making a positive impact on the world by inspiring and helping others to evolve and thrive is my behind what I do as a psychologist,...

I can tell when I’m striking a chord with people on an issue that is impacting them; such is the case with the topic of toxic bosses....

In my 25 years in the field of industrial/organizational and career psychology, I have witnessed and experienced oxic bosses. This...

Burnout is a topic I have been speaking on in recent years. Through my 25 years in the field of psychology, I’ve seen a growing number of...