Toxic Behaviors in the Workplace: Why? How? What?

Control freaks, narcissists, manipulators, and bullies. It takes all kinds, they say, but can your organization afford to employ such toxic personalities? Often clever chameleons, who “kiss up” and “kick down,” they know how and when to disguise their infectiously bad natures. Like a disease, these employees spread negativity throughout the workplace, decreasing productivity and increasing turnover. In this program, Drs. Holloway and Kusy will share their national research study of toxic behaviors with over 400 participants. Learn why these individuals get away with bad behavior, how this occurs in organizations, and what to do about it to impact individual and team performance—and the bottom line.

Dr. Elizabeth Holloway, is a professor at Antioch Univ., Graduate School in Leadership & Change. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and Diplomate in Professional Psychology. She consults with leaders worldwide on systems approaches to supervision, mentoring, coaching, toxicity, and building communities of respectful engagement.

Dr. Mitchell Kusy, a Fulbright Scholar in Organization Development and professor at Antioch Univ., Graduate School in Leadership & Change, was previously head of leadership development for American Express Financial Advisors. Continuing to consult with leaders worldwide, he is author of several business books.

Zena Zumeta, internationally known as both a mediator and trainer of mediators.  She is president of the  Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Zena Zumeta Mediation Services, and The Collaborative Workplace in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Zena is a lawyer and a former president of the Academy of Family Mediators.