• For the third time this morning, you overhear "Allan" complaining about the coffee. "This place is so cheap", he says just loud enough for you to hear. 

• After lunch, Kaitlin slips into your cube and says with delight," Bill didn't get that promotion he wanted." " I knew he wasn't right for it."

• During the regional staff meeting, you overhear three of your team members gossiping about the new manager and how much of an ego she has. "She'll find out soon enough just how "important she is.", they share with self-satisfied smiles.

• Knocking on your boss's door, you find he is on his cell phone. Before you can excuse yourself and leave, he put's his hand up and, in an exasperated voice, say's, " what is it, can't you see I am BUSY?"

Well, if by the end of this day, you haven't quit, we wish you lots of luck! All kidding aside though, we all experience some form of toxicity on a daily basis. I remind you that you can not change another person (even if you wish REALLY hard); however, you can change your choices of how to react to the situation. 

Toxic co-workers need an audience. This is how they gain their energy and sense of importance. If you walk away, change the subject or disengage- there is no where for them to dump.

Silence implies agreement. 

Walk away when the barrage begins. Excuse yourself politely and say, " I have to get back to work."

Tell your toxic teammate that you don't want to listen to their toxic-talk anymore.

Acknowledge/Redirect the conversation: " I can see your frustrated about the coffee, I for one, love it."