43:18

In this episode of the Shedding the Corporate Bitch podcast, executive coach Bernadette Boas walks listeners through the full lifecycle of dealing with toxic behavior in the workplace, whether the source is a boss or a peer. She first explains why people become toxic—highlighting insecurity, fear of failure or success, power‑and‑control motives, learned behavior, stress, and personality factors. Boas then outlines why leaders often avoid confrontation, citing fear of retaliation, legal concerns, lack of policies, and the risk of losing high‑performing talent. She stresses that confronting a toxic individual is a leader’s responsibility because it creates self‑awareness, preserves valuable talent, and protects team culture. The core of the episode is a step‑by‑step playbook: (1) choose the right time and neutral place, (2) act with appropriate immediacy, (3) use “I” statements and document specific incidents, (4) stay calm, professional, and respectful, (5) set clear boundaries and expectations, (6) involve the individual in co‑creating solutions, (7) have an exit strategy if the person becomes defensive, (8) record the conversation in writing, (9) involve HR or higher‑level leaders as needed, and (10) decide whether to stay, escalate, or exit the situation. Boas wraps up by warning that unaddressed toxicity erodes culture, productivity, and retention, and invites listeners to schedule coaching for further support.

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