Have you ever had a boss who left you walking on eggshells, never sure what mood they’d bring into the office? Maybe they humiliated people in meetings, lashed out without warning, or drained you so much that you came home with nothing left for yourself. A bully boss can affect far more than your workday.
In this episode, I’m talking with Mita Mallick, speaker, workplace strategist, coach, and bestselling author. She’s sharing stories from her own career and what she’s learned about surviving toxic leaders - from executives who throw shoes to managers who use “toxic positivity” as a weapon. Mita also offers strategies for spotting warning signs in an interview, building an exit plan that protects your career, and regaining your confidence once you’ve left.
We also explore the patterns that keep people stuck in unhealthy workplaces: how old experiences can shape what we tolerate, why many of us think we can “outwork” a bad boss, and what it really takes to reclaim your well-being.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 How Toxic Jobs Affect Your Life
00:43 Meet Mita Mallick: Speaker, Strategist, and Author
01:22 Surviving Abuse from a Bully Boss
07:16 Workplace Trauma and Mental Health
18:02 How to Spot Red Flags in Job Interviews
28:34 Types of Toxic Bosses and Their Behaviors
38:25 Exit Strategies and Rebuilding Confidence
If you’d like more support beyond this conversation, you’re welcome to schedule a free consultation with me or a member of my team. We can help you make thoughtful career decisions, strengthen boundaries, and protect your mental health at work.
I also encourage you to check out Mita’s new book, The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses. You can connect with her directly on LinkedIn and Instagram to keep learning from her insights on leadership and workplace culture.
And of course, you can always stay connected with me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, where I share weekly tips and encouragement. I’d love to hear your thoughts - your questions and feedback always help shape future episodes. Let’s talk!
I also want to extend a big thank-you to Headway for sponsoring this episode. Headway helps me keep growing, even on the busiest days, by making it possible to learn from the world’s top books in just minutes. I use it every day. I truly love it, and I think you will too.
Save 25% when you go to makeheadway.com/lhs and use the promo code LHS.
Let’s keep learning and growing together. 🌱
xoxo,
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
Growing Self