My Review of "Rising Above a Toxic Workplace"

Having worked in a variety of non-profit residential settings, I know quite a bit about "toxic relationships". And since my husband is a minister, I've seen first-hand how work environments -- particularly our churches -- can turn into toxic workplaces. The fact is, there are so many places that have a toxic environment that can discourage and turn off ordinary workers from discharging their best -- not just churches and other non-profits. According to a Gallup poll, seven in ten people work in toxic workplaces. A bad workplace also leads to stress and reduced productivity. Class tensions create divisions within organizations.

This book offers wisdom and help for negotiating those "toxic workplace" environments. Each chapter contains some survival strategies for workers as well as leadership tips for bosses. Both are needed in order to cultivate a positive corporate culture.

The most common factor for these toxic workplaces are words that hurt. The authors call those "little murders" (chapter 5). But there are other common factors: Like a utilitarian "ends justify the means" mentality, or dishonesty, or bad leadership.

And this book offers real-world tools for handling those toxic environments. But I'll save the real treat for the reader to find at the end.

This is a great book that anyone in leadership needs to read -- and read often!

I was provided a free copy from Moody Publishing in exchange to my honest review.

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