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Escaping a Toxic Work Environment: When It’s Time to Leave

by | Jan 6, 2023 | 2023, Career and Development | 0 comments

As a former employee of a company with a toxic CEO and a passive managing director, I learned a lot about the impact that leadership can have on a workplace.

Working for a toxic CEO was an incredibly challenging and draining experience. This individual was prone to outbursts of anger, treated employees with disrespect, and fostered a culture of fear and mistrust within the company. The constant negativity and unpredictability made it difficult to do our jobs effectively and created a toxic work environment.

an angry boss screaming at a staff member who has his hands over his ears and looks scared

The managing director, while not toxic themselves, did not do enough to stand up for their team and address the issues caused by the CEO. This lack of leadership and support made it even harder for the team to function and caused morale to suffer.

Despite the challenges, I learned a lot about the importance of strong and ethical leadership in the workplace. I learned that a toxic leader can have a huge negative impact on the culture and productivity of a company, and that it is crucial for leaders to create a positive and supportive work environment.

As a studied practitioner coach with hundreds of logged hours in coaching and good emotional intelligence, I knew that the only thing I could control was myself. I couldn’t change someone else’s toxic behavior, but I could control my own actions and reactions.

I learned that the sooner I could identify that the situation was not going to change, the quicker I could develop a strategy to get out of a bad situation. This meant setting boundaries, seeking support, and practicing self-care to protect my mental health.

It can be tempting to try and fix a toxic work environment or change a toxic boss, but sometimes the best course of action is to remove oneself from the situation. This can be a difficult decision, but it is often necessary in order to prioritize one’s own well-being.

While I was unable to change the toxic behavior of my CEO or the passive behavior of my managing director, I was able to manage myself in the situation and eventually make the decision to leave. It was not an easy process, but it was necessary in order to prioritize my own mental health and well-being.

I also learned the value of speaking up and advocating for oneself and one’s team. It can be intimidating to challenge a toxic leader or speak out against injustice, but it is often necessary in order to create positive change. Overall, working for a toxic CEO and a passive managing director was a difficult and frustrating experience, but it taught me valuable lessons about the importance of strong, ethical leadership and the need to speak up and advocate for oneself and one’s team.

Steps you can take to try and protect your mental health and well-being


Managing oneself in a toxic work environment can be difficult, but there are some steps you can take to try and protect your mental health and well-being:

  1. Set boundaries: It’s important to establish clear boundaries with your toxic boss or colleague. Communicate your limits and make it clear what you are and are not willing to tolerate.
  2. Seek support: Surround yourself with supportive people, both at work and outside of it. It can be helpful to have a network of colleagues or friends who can provide a listening ear and offer guidance.
  3. Practice self-care: It’s crucial to take care of yourself when dealing with a toxic work environment. Make sure to prioritize activities that help you relax and recharge, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies.
  4. Seek guidance: Consider seeking guidance from a mentor or HR representative to help you navigate the situation and find ways to cope.

Ultimately, if the toxic behavior is persistent and you feel that you cannot effectively manage yourself in the situation, it may be necessary to consider leaving the company. It’s important to remember that your mental health and well-being should be a top priority, and staying in a toxic work environment can have serious negative impacts on your overall health and happiness.

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