How do we seek accountability for evil leaders and remain bitter-free? While serving in another country as missionaries, my family became quite delighted with a drink called a "Chapman." It was made of Sobo orange drink, bitters, and 7Up.
Counseling
Toxic Survival Guide: The Action Plan – Part 3
"The Toxic Boss Survival Guide" provides strategies for dealing with a malicious employer. The book presents a simplified approach to handling a hostile work environment, especially when faced with an abusive boss, but cautioning that hunkering down is not a long-term solution.
Toxic Survival Guide: The Psychology – Part 2
"The Toxic Boss Survival Guide" provides insights into dealing with toxic bosses. It highlights the importance of managing one's mental attitude, energy, and resilience against the negative pressures generated by toxic bosses. The guide encourages individuals not to let a toxic boss dominate their thoughts, stressing that strength comes from oneself and one's faith.
Creating a Compliant Mega Church: Mark’s Story of Abusive Pastoral Leadership
Mark was a church planter, establishing an off-site satellite campus. He was hired by a large, multi-campus ministry to resurrect a church with less than twenty members. Mark said there were signs of toxicity he should have seen before he signed on.
Shalom: Peace in Departure
Approximately a year after her termination from an international mission organization, Susan said, “By the grace of God [I was] not looking over my shoulder and not wishing things were the way they were.”
Shalom: Peace in the Serving
Beat up relationships, financial struggle, and thankless service are commonplace in our service in God's kingdom. We find shalom (peace) knowing God is in our work. However, there is an added layer of trial when the employee serves under a toxic leader.
Abuse Strips People of Their Hope
The stories told by participants in my research of toxic leadership portray a range of damage wrought by abusive bosses. In my experience, there is emotional, physical, and spiritual damage done by toxic bosses to their subordinates. No one is unscathed by their abuse.
Sinking a Christian Organization: Normal Leadership Failures
With multiple degrees and experience in psychology and business, Kets de Vries describes several toxic leadership styles in Leader on the Couch. Though he discusses at length narcissistic and anti-social leaders - unfortunately common toxins among leaders - he names several less psychotic leadership destroyers.
Lions, Tigers, and Bears: Stories of Confronting Toxic Leaders
Graham, one of my interviewees when researching toxic organizational leadership, expressed dismay at his “naiveté” in believing there would be “healing and reconciliation” when he was involved in a confrontation with his CEO.
Checklist for Repentance: Apply Bancroft to Organizational Leadership
What does it look like when a toxic boss truly repents? Lessons can be learned from Lundy Bancroft's writing on domestic violence.