Mitchell Kusy, PhD, is a consultant and full professor in the graduate program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University. A 2005 Fulbright Scholar in international organization development, Dr. Kusy consults globally in strategic planning, leadership development, 360-degree feedback, organization development, and designing organizational communities of respectful engagement. He is a visiting professor at several universities internationally.

Elizabeth Holloway, PhD, is a consultant and full professor in the graduate program in Leadership and Change at Antioch University. A Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology and Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Holloway has had more than 25 years' experience as a practitioner, educator, and consultant with organizations, groups, and mental health clients. She consults globally on system approaches to mentoring, coaching, and creating organizational communities of respectful engagement.

Part One: Understanding Toxic People and Toxic Environments 1

1. The Human and Financial Costs of Working with Toxic People: Toxic Behaviors are Just the Tip of the Iceberg 3

2. Recognizing the Toxic Personality: It Isn't as Easy as You Think 21

3. Leader Reactions and Strategies That Typically Don't Work: Why Identify Strategies That Don't Work? 43

4. Organizational Culture: How Toxicity Spreads Like an Infection 67

Part Two: The Toxic Organization Change System Model 85

5. Organizational Strategies: Dealing with Toxicity at the Highest System Level 89

6. Team Strategies: Dealing with Toxicity at the Team Level 111

7. Individual Strategies: Dealing with Toxic People One-on-One 151

8. Myths and Truths About Toxicity-and Renewal from a Toxic Environment: How to Move Beyond Toxicity 181

Appendix A: Our Research Methodology 209

Appendix B: National Survey Responses on Toxic Behaviors 215

Notes 233

The Authors 237

Index 239