Losing Toxic People Is a Win! 🙌🏼

“I felt stuck in a job that slowly chipped away at my confidence, motivation, and happiness. Monday mornings were filled with dread, and every drive to the office felt heavier than the last. The toxicity seeped into every aspect of my life—I was short-tempered, unmotivated, and lost self-confidence.

The source? A manipulative, erratic leader named Whitney. She was a master of control, wielding power through a clique of loyal followers. Conversations changed, meetings happened without me, and tasks I was assigned were suddenly given to others—often with the implication that I wasn’t ‘a team player.’ One moment, I was praised for doing great work; the next, blindsided with accusations of not leading enough. Any attempt to communicate was met with passive-aggressive dismissal.  

One of her most humiliating power plays was assigning someone from her posse to ‘coach’ me on how to interact with senior leadership, as if I hadn't already spent years leading major projects and consulting top executives. It wasn’t about guidance—it was about control, and breaking me down under the guise of, ‘helping me to improve.’ And for a while, it worked. I lost my voice, passion, and belief in my own abilities.

The final straw came during a conversation with my mom, who’d been listening to my struggles for months. She said something that shook me: “I hate to see how this woman is making you doubt yourself when you are so good at what you do.” That was it. I’d allowed someone else's insecurities to dim my light, to make me forget my worth. I wasn’t the problem—she was.”

❓Does this sound familiar?💡Dealing with a toxic colleague or boss impacts everything you do!

Not only does it surround you at work, it comes home with you. It’s on your mind when you’re at your kids soccer game. It’s consumes your thoughts when you’re trying to fall asleep at night. It impacts your ability to make friends because you don’t trust other people.   

A toxic job can create a toxic life.

Read that again.

A toxic job can create a toxic life!

💡A toxic workplace is more likely to change you than you are to change it. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize your mental health and kick their lame asses to the curb. Easier said than done, due to extenuating work circumstances. Ultimately though, losing toxic people is a win on so many levels!

Workplace well-being is more important than ever, it’s time to prioritize yours and reclaim your voice!Say good-bye to these toxic traits,

• someone taking credit for your work

• gaslighting behaviors

• exclusion from team communications/ events

• being bullied

• being the target of gossip

• being excluded

🥹Yes, this is extremely hard to do, especially, if that person has control or input into your career path and pay. On the flip side, what’s worse? Staying in a situation where you’re,

• scared?

• not living your full potential?

• not appreciated?

• lonely?

• world feels hopeless?

💪🏼It’s time to protect your energy, boundaries, and move on, because connection with the right people matters! Remove yourself from people who don’t value you and from spaces that don’t serve you. Helpful tips to do this include,

• documenting the behavior

• reaching out to HR/ Leadership team

• seeking therapy

• keeping a current resume

• networking

As Gloria Steinem so powerfully said,

“The point was never what we chose, the point is that we had the power to make a choice.”

You have the power to make a choice, it won’t be made for you. Yes, it will suck, and be exhausting, and scary.  But you know what? It’s worth it because a toxic job creates a toxic life. Simply put, life’s too short AND, you deserve better! And remember, no matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you think you are, how you treat people is what defines you in the end.  Be kind, always. And remember...

🔥I do not chase. I attract. 🔥I do not bow. I rise.

🔥I do not whisper. I roar.  

Stay tuned for my next update out in two weeks.

♥️Today I will be fearless. Today I am grateful.

P.S. Are you trying to better understand and improve the female dynamics on your team, follow me on LinkedIn to learn more!

#accelerateaction, #PsychologicalSafety, #frenemies, #behindfrenemylines, #changethebehavior, #squadgoals, #empoweringwomen, #sisterhood. #connection