Resist the urge to try to help toxic people. It is often tempting to offer a meta-comment: an observation about the person’s style of interaction. “Sara, when we’re together, you talk a lot about the people you dislike and seldom about people you appreciate.” “Rod, you point out a lot you don’t like about me. Is there anything you do like?” “There are things about this company that I have a hard time with, Margot, but others I support. What keeps you here?” We’re often prevented from making confrontations like this by the fear that we will damage the relationship. Doug, having been confronted
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