Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett

The world around us is chaotic, and that chaos translates into uncertainty in our work and lives. Many of us are absorbing a constant stream of outrage, tragedy, and fear. We are processing scary news and heartbreaking wars—between meetings, deadlines, performance targets, and the next “breaking news” notification. It’s no wonder so many people feel worn down. The pressure is not just emotional; it is structural. Across the U.S., workplace stress has become the norm, with 79% of employees...

As we get closer to International Women’s Day, I feel compelled to share a less comfortable reality that continues to surface in my research and in my work with clients across North America: women are disproportionately impacted by toxic leadership at work. Let me be clear: toxic leadership is not gender-specific. Anyone can work for a toxic boss, and anyone can display toxic behavior. My research and experience points to the fact that a female leader is just as likely to be a toxic boss as a...

Over the past several years, one theme has surfaced repeatedly in my work as an organizational psychologist, coach, and speaker: people don’t leave jobs—they leave toxic bosses . And yet, so many professionals stay far longer than they should, convincing themselves that things will improve, that they’re being “too sensitive,” or that this is simply the cost of success.  That’s why I wrote I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss, which is out NOW...