Toxic People: Decontaminate Difficult People at Work Without Using Weapons Or Duct Tape [Hardcover]

Marsha Petrie Sue (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 21, 2007

Praise For Toxic People

"From corporate America to the smallest business owner, this book should be mandatory reading because it provides toxic relief that will put money in your pocket and calm in your personality. A dose of this reading would enhance the success of business school students and smooth out a few bumps in a rocky marriage."
—Richard L. Labrum, Vice President, Wealth Management, Smith Barney

"If you're just sick to death of those people who zap the energy right out of you, Marsha has the cure! In no-nonsense terms, she gives us the prescription for dealing with toxic people. She mixes in the right dosage of personal experience, humor, and practical advice to create a compelling message that is highly relevant in our personal and professional lives. I highly recommend this book to everyone interested in cleaning up toxic behaviors!"
—John Ryan, Vice President, American Express

"Marsha Petrie Sue is the Muhammad Ali of communicators. She can dance and look pretty, and she uses the entire ring, but she knows how and when to land a knockout punch. If you have bad relationships, you'll learn why. This is charm school with live ammunition!"
—David Rawles, founder and President, Career Solutions, Inc.

"Marsha Petrie Sue's 'take the bull by the horns' approach to self-realization and, if so chosen, self-improvement, is the antidote to today's wimpy leadership malaise. She takes readers by their collars, looks them straight in the eyes, and tells them in no uncertain terms that their key to both personal and professional happiness is attainable only through critical self-evaluation and the will to transcend their current situations."
—Randy O'Neill, Senior Vice President, Lancer Insurance Company

"She has done it again! She gives us permission to 'sack the toxic people' who suck out our energy. Take Marsha's ticket to freedom: give yourself permission to send the toxic people on their not-so-merry way!"
—Dr. Geoff Haw, Consultant, Sagacity Services, Australia

"Marsha always finds a way to deliver the most difficult messages in a humorous way (this book is one example). You will be able to apply this book in everyday life and anywhere you encounter people!"
—Tina Aguirre, Senior IT Manager, oil and energy company

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...provides an array of strategies that will help to decontaminate the most toxic person or situation in a non-aggressive way." Personal Success June 2008

From the Inside Flap

The work world is full of toxic people—whine and cheesers, backstabbers, steamrollers, zipper lips, needy weenies, and know-it-alls. Life is just too short to let difficult people drive you nuts in the office. If you want to decontaminate the toxic people in your workplace, this practical guide to office survival will show you how to do it before they suck the life out of you.

This enlightening guide gives you the skills you need to deal with toxic people. Stop doubting your own capabilities and sanity. Don't let them win! Instead, use the survival tactics you'll find here to turn ugly situations with toxic people into a tolerable day at the office—without resorting to hostile or aggressive tactics.

In Toxic People, Marsha Petrie Sue offers unique and practical solutions for dealing with difficult people and the conflict and miscommunication they often aggravate. Using real-life case studies and real-world strategies, Sue shows managers and employees alike how to take personal responsibility for their work environment and take the lead in fostering teamwork, morale, and success. Take charge and decontaminate your office with:

• Seven simple lessons for office survival

• Six major types of toxic people and how to recognize them

• Keys to identify the behaviors that drive you crazy and what to do

• The right words to defuse situations and defang toxic types

• Tips on recognizing lies and insincere behavior

• Case studies and true stories on dealing with almost any toxic situation

• Guidance on developing a positive attitude that rubs off on others

• Tools to develop a dynamic, productive environment

• And other skills and tips to keep you and your office conflict-free

Dealing with toxic people is a part of life, at work and everywhere else. Using the strategies, tactics, and real-world advice you'll find here, you'll learn to change the way you respond to their toxic waste and stop them from affecting your mood or your work. For happier teams, a happier workplace, and a happier you, put down the duct tape and the stapler, take a deep breath, and read Toxic People.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 21, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470147687
• ISBN-13: 978-0470147689
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marsha holds an MBA and received her CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) through the National Speakers Association. As a professional speaker and author, Marsha Petrie Sue is the Muhammed Ali of communications. She can dance, look pretty and she uses the entire ring. Marsha also knows how and when to land a knockout punch. Think of her information as charm school with live ammunition.

She shares proven tactics for managing people, employees and clients that create perplexity, puzzlement and pandemonium at work and at home. 'Let's be honest,' she says, 'some of the situations you encounter are toxic and you need to learn how to handle it or they'll tear you apart.' This is where you'll learn how to get the results you deserve, reduce conflict and improve relationships.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful ideas to implement, December 16, 2009

By 

liz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toxic People: Decontaminate Difficult People at Work Without Using Weapons Or Duct Tape (Hardcover)

I liked the categories of different kinds of people and what to say, and what to avoid. There are helpful steps to take with each kind of difficult person you might encounter -- it's a good roadmap. I also really enjoyed Understanding Other People:: The Five Secrets to Human Behavior (Volume 1)to help in these cases because it's a quick read that teaches how to observe your own behaviors. I like information that's useful so I can to learn how to deal with difficult people each day!

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Microscope and a Mirror, October 6, 2007

By 

David Rawles "Career Guy" (D-FW, TX, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toxic People: Decontaminate Difficult People at Work Without Using Weapons Or Duct Tape (Hardcover)

Just finished Toxic People. As an author, I commend Petrie Sue's rapid-fire style; her ability to get directly, yet thoroughly, to the point. As an avid reader, she captured my attendtion. It really was hard to put down. As an educator, I am pleased to see she used good examples which drive home her points. Though all the examples didn't resinate with me, she continually demonstrates she can illustrate her experiences and add life to her lessons!

As I read about the six types of Toxic People and how to deal with them I found gems on every page that will help me as I offer help to others daily. Her book is indeed like a microscope in that it allowed me to focus more closely on the toxic behaviors and the antidotes. I am much better armed to relate with others in my life who may be toxic.

Then it hit me ... Marsha was holding up a mirror for me to see my own (hard to admit) toxic behavior in certain situations. That hardly seems fair, that I should have to sit here and admit that I am sometimes the enemy. Ouch ... that hurts! As I made my way through the pages I learned a bit more about me and how others in my "we" are having to deal with me. I actually feel empowered now to discard some of my own toxic behaviors. Marsha says you can take it, leave it or change it. I am going to change a few things. That's the best recommendation I can give this book.
Thanks Marsha. I owe you.

DHR

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars toxic is smart and effective, November 28, 2011

By 

Jeremiah Filmdude - See all my reviews

This review is from: Toxic People: Decontaminate Difficult People at Work Without Using Weapons Or Duct Tape (Hardcover)

I purchased a hardcover copy of this book in the hopes that I might learn a thing or two about the work environment I've just recently begun working in. I was constantly working jobs that required me to work alone, but the new office I work in is certainly a strange land filled with many kinds of human beings with different goals and motivations. I chose to check out this book because it seemed to shine a bright and bold spotlight down on my fellow (annoying) employees.

I read "Toxic People" quickly and effortlessly as each page continually kept my interest with all the truths it revealed that seemed so dead-on with my coworkers. I'm sure that I even fit some qualifications for some of the behaviors mentioned, but for the most part I try and be respectful in the workplace and don't have ulterior motives or envious eyes towards fellow employees. Marsha Petrie Sue does an immaculate job of exploiting these behaviors and how to (peacefully) combat the pesky people who so often flaunt them. The book also reveals seven very useful lessons for office survival (which I have used since reading and have been victorious), easy instructions on how to be more uplifting and positive in the workplace, and dozens of helpful tips and detailed guidelines on how to be more productive while still keeping the peace of a conflict-free habitat.

I only read it recently, but this book has absolutely changed my perspective (for the better) in the office. I've been keeping it in mind as I deal with snobs and egos who I come into contact with, and it's totally changed my interactions with them because now I know how to handle them. I've also been utilizing the tips on positivity in the workplace and have had great success, as I now have a much better outlook and days go by faster than ever. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone who wants to transform their job from being conflicting and torturing to something comfortable and painless.