Taming Toxic People: The Science of Identifying and Dealing with Psychopaths at Work & at Home by David Gillespie

Are you familiar with the phrase “toxic person”? It’s a growing phenomenon of adults behaving badly, bringing negative energy and attitude into a workplace or home environment. In his book, Taming Toxic People: The Science of Identifying and Dealing with Psychopaths at Work & at Home, David Gillespie examines the various types of toxic people, how to spot them, and how to handle them.

Gillespie begins by discussing the different types of toxic people, or “psychopaths”, and how they manifest themselves in the workplace and at home. He identifies five main types of toxic people: The User, The Chameleon, The Social Predator, The Narcissist, and The Machiavellian. He goes on to describe the characteristics of each type and the potential ways to recognize them. For example, The User will often be in financial difficulty and rely heavily on others for assistance, while The Machiavellian will come off as smooth and charismatic but have a hidden agenda.

Gillespie then explains how to recognize when someone is exhibiting toxic behavior. He outlines three steps for recognizing toxic behavior: observing, understanding, and redirecting. He urges readers to observe when someone is displaying signs of toxic behavior, understand what the issue is, and then take appropriate measures to redirect the situation.

Past that, Gillespie dives into strategies for dealing with toxic people. He shares various tactics, such as setting clear boundaries, walking away when necessary, avoiding avoidance, and maintaining a positive attitude. He also stresses the importance of self-care when it comes to dealing with toxic situations, as it can be emotionally draining.

Gillespie wraps up the book by exploring the effects of toxic people on the workplace and family environments. He outlines strategies for reducing the effects of the negative energy, such as introducing legal contracts, implementing policies and procedures, providing psychological counseling, and more.

Overall, Taming Toxic People: The Science of Identifying and Dealing with Psychopaths at Work & at Home is an informative and eye-opening book. With gripping real-life anecdotes, Gillespie helps readers understand the different types of “toxic people” and how to spot them, as well as how to effectively and safely deal with them. This book is valuable to anyone dealing with toxic people, whether it be in the workplace or in their personal lives.