It Only Takes One

I had lunch the other day with a very dear friend who I’ve not seen for a while – silly me for not partaking in such rich conversation and astute observations (hers). We had worked in several corporate environments together many moons ago, none of which we espoused with great joy and enthusiasm.

So, we reminisced and groused about our past professional gigs, and grumbled about the many toxic work environments that existed then, and perhaps even more, today.

And then my friend said something that perhaps should seem obvious about workplaces, but never has in my many, many moons working in many, many different places.

“It only takes one person,” she said. “Only one toxic person can pollute an entire organization.”

Well, do pardon me for perhaps stating the obvious, but this seeming innocuous comment lit a lightbulb of “Wow” for my old and humble self.