What if we just believed them?

When someone names a toxic work experience, why is our first instinct so often to question their judgment? What if—just for a moment—we started from a place of belief? A former client once told me that the hardest part wasn’t surviving the dysfunction—it was the moment she finally worked up Read more

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

Which of their stories is yours?

It’s been seven months since Promises Broken was released into the world. (Isn’t that wild?) The most common feedback I’ve received from readers is: “I saw myself in these women.” That’s the power of story. It mirrors us back to ourselves—and reminds us we’re not alone. When I first started Read more

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

Culture is kinetic

Have you ever walked through an open office space and not been greeted by a single person? How about being in a meeting when it’s clear that people are “side-chatting” over text? Maybe you’ve even side-chatted yourself? What about hearing the same generic critical feedback tossed out in group settings Read more

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

I have so many questions…

I love it when a book sticks with me. I just finished reading Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Winn-Williams. For those who haven’t heard of it, it’s a memoir written by a former senior staffer at Facebook. Given my interest in toxic Read more

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

What you do is NOT who you are

I spent last week catching up on my newsletter backlog again. (I really need to find a better system for regular consumption. Maybe once this move is complete…) Luvvie Ajayi James sends her Luvv Letter weekly. Each issue has a Rant, a Reflection, and a Recommendation. I have to admit, Read more

By Beth Cocuzza, ago

What is toxic culture, anyway?

Sometimes I am really caught off guard by comments on LinkedIn. I know—not exactly an earth-shattering revelation. For the last 4 months or so, I have been engaging daily on LinkedIn. As a “solopreneur” it has been my substitute for colleagues. I have a group of folks I engage with Read more

By Beth Cocuzza, ago