7Overcome Toxic People and Cultures
Some people just ooze toxicity. They can bring down even the most positive, upbeat people around them. That's not just anecdotal. Research shows that negative colleagues can decrease other people's job performance and even their commitment to the organization.1
I know this dynamic well because … I was one of those toxic people.
Ugh, right? It hurts to admit it, but it's true. Let me tell you the story.
When I was 24, faced with the painful reality that I didn't like my career in social work, I knew I needed to pivot my skills elsewhere and try something new. Now, I have the utmost respect for social workers. They dedicate themselves to helping and equipping some of the most vulnerable people, but I myself simply could not hack it. After counseling violent crime victims, HIV-positive individuals, and domestic violence survivors, I had lost more than ten pounds, couldn't turn off any of my work thoughts on the weekend, and felt chronically anxious. I was disappointed in myself that I couldn't manage and, frankly, pretty ashamed.
Well, imagine my relief when I found a role at a nearby consulting firm whose clients were nonprofit organizations. It felt like the perfect bridge opportunity to bring my problem-solving skills from social work and apply them to nonprofit clients who wanted to have a bigger impact. While the role was about two levels too junior for my skills, I applied for the position, was offered it, and accepted.
Pretty early on, ...
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