Toxic Boss: How to Survive Without Breaking

The word "toxic" here describes behavior, not a diagnosis of a person. We're talking about a boss after talking to whom you feel empty, guilty, and stupid, even though in reality things are different. This kind of leadership destroys slowly: first you doubt your decisions, then your worth, then whether you can work at all.

What toxic leadership looks like in practice

It's not about strictness or high standards. A strict boss can be unpleasant but predictable: you know what they want and what they'll criticize you for. Destructive leadership works differently.