This is a fascinating non-fiction read about the toxic workplace culture. Clive Lewis's writing is readable with top tips littered throughout in digestible bullet points. The writing is practical and applicable. He explains how toxic workplaces are created by narcissistic leaders and line managers, and their behaviour and complacency to look the other way trickles down, but he also explains how employees rarely consider reflecting on their own job performance and consistently worry about external behaviour than using difficult situations as an opportunity to grow, not that he shames the victims of toxic behaviour, but he provides perspective that there is difficult people everywhere and avoiding toxic situations altogether is impossible. He provides effective strategies on coping with such situations.
Lewis explains the effects a bullying environment has on employees with an increasing numbers of ailments and sick leaves. How a toxic environment can affect one's health, physical and mental, and how people can create a nurturing and healthy workplace. He also addresses the problems faced by women, the Metoo movement, and how difficult it is for BAME employees to get promoted. He also touches upon issues made worse by social media and technology which has resulted in the boys locker room banter to be moved online.
Lewis gives advice to both leaders, and employees. He explains clearly the qualities needed to be an effective leader and a valuable employee. There are some brilliant quotes that I found myself wanting to jot down.
I do wish, however, that he gave more case studies, some of his examples were brief, and at times I did find his advice repetitive. On the whole a must have on your shelf if you're into self-development.