Have you ever experienced working in a toxic workplace environment?

By Donna Paige Riley, Master-Level Trainer, Certified Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Teacher
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I have—and I’ll never forget it.
Years ago, I worked under a CEO who led with fear, not vision. No one was allowed to call her by her first name, although we were all adults. If she had a fight with her husband the night before, someone on the staff might be fired the next day—just to release the tension. It was unpredictable, demoralizing, and harmful.

That was only one of many experiences that stayed with me—but it also inspired my mission.

I recently led a workshop titled “Grace, Etiquette & Success: Navigating Workplace Dynamics with Confidence.” We explored what healthy leadership looks like, how to communicate with emotional intelligence, and why grace and respect are essential in professional spaces.

Toxic workplaces don’t just happen—they’re created by unhealed, untrained, or unaware leaders. And they can be uncreated by intentional leadership training and culture change.

I'm committed to helping leaders foster environments where people feel respected, valued, and safe. If you're in leadership—or aspire to be—I’d love to connect and share how this training can help your team thrive.

Have you ever worked in a toxic environment?
I invite you to share your experience in the comments. Your voice matters—and your story could help someone else feel seen.