BOOK TITLE: RISING ABOVe tOXIC WORK eNVIRONMeNtS: tAKING CARe OF YOURSeLF IN AN UNHeALtHY WORK eNVIRONMeNt GARY CHAPMAN AND PAUL WHIte ALL MAJOR BOOKStOReS AND BOOK-SeLLING DIGItAL PLAtFORMS

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Ideally, workplaces should be a happy space with positive energy and inspiring mood because we spend (or should) most of our time in the office, but the reality is that some workplaces are energy draining and toxic. This book teaches you to find your way above office politics, personality clashes and all other rubbish that you sucks your energy and irritates you in the workplace. It explores qualities and skills that are indispensable in modern work environments such as critical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution and leadership.

The fact is that wherever there are people, there will always be some “issues” that crop up, and sometimes you might find yourself on the firing end, as a target or witness to this behaviour.

The most pervasive culture of toxicity in the workplace is bullying.

Contrary to common belief, bullying does not end in school - it continues and is actually worse in workplaces. Workplace bullies can even be energysucking vampire psychopaths who in extreme levels sabotage others, gossip monger or even do dodgy stuff hack into colleagues phone and emails,tap calls, snoop around your private life and basically go all out to find something to use against you for reasons best known to them. That on itself is a red flag; it is normal for people to be curious, or have conflicts, but once personal boundaries are crossed and you find yourself at the mercy of dubious individuals who are “obsessed” with you in a dodgy and unhealthy manner, then you have every reason to be worried; and should actively find ways to protect yourself, your career and wellbeing.

Bullies are malicious and tactful, so they always know how to carry out their behaviour in a way that they are not easily caught out and they can easily square blame on you based on your reaction. So, your only weapon is your personal power because bullies enjoy playing “dirty” so you have to deny them the “attention” and “reaction” that they desperately crave to feel acknowledged and validated.

Bully behaviour and harassment in the workplace is often spurred by boredom, malice and jealousy, envy, pettiness and immaturity. It is therefore little wonder that workplace bullies are often the failures,losers and unaccomplished individuals. Sometimes the problem in toxic environments is not the job or the company, sometimes the real problem is the people with toxic behavioural patterns. Some of the signs of toxic environments highlighted by the authors include: high staff turnover, constant office politics and rivalry, a pervasive culture of gossip and rumourmongering, lack of trust between colleagues, some workers being reserved, low motivation among staff and a high rate of absenteeism. This book gives you tools to help you keep your eyes on the ball, invest in your personal development (your health, dreams and goals, educational upskilling, prioritising healthy relationships with good and like-minded people etc).

The book also teaches you how to be civil and professional in the workplace, and focus on getting the job done with as little conflict and distraction as possible -after all, your colleagues are not your friends or family, so you are not obliged to be “buddy” with them: what is most important is to develop a civil professional relationship.

This is a great read for young professionals entering the space of work for the first time, individuals struggling to cope or overwhelmed in toxic work environments, supervisors and workers who want to learn better ways to deal with difficult colleagues. It is a well-written offering that is informative and empowering; it is backed by extensive psychology research and is based on various real-life situations. The insightful lessons in the book will help you deal better with people from different types of backgrounds and cultures in the workplace and business, understand (or tolerate) different personalities, assess your own approach and behaviour, and improve on your sense of self in order to maintain a semblance of peace and civility in your work space, protect your energy and emotional and mental wellness.