A short YouTube commentary (by Codie Sanchez) arguing that known 'toxic' coworkers are easier to manage than frenemies or fake friends because toxicity creates clarity: one can set boundaries, rely on their skills, and avoid unnecessary socializing. By contrast, ambivalence and mixed signals from fake friends drain emotional energy through uncertainty (e.g., wondering if comments were negative or supportive).
I prefer a toxic co worker to a frenemy. When we know someone is toxic or difficult, we are very clear in our head. We don't go to lunch with them, we don't need to catch up on the weekend. We know their strength and their skills and that's what we go to them for. And then we create parameters around their difficulty. When you're fake with someone or you're ambivalent, a fake friend. When you're like, do I like them? Are they doing a good job? Do they like me? Like, this is people also with friends. You're like, was that a neg? Was that past progressive or are they actually supporting me? That actually drains you far faster than a toxic person.
