If you’re waking up every morning dreading work…
If you’re watching your ideas get ignored, your energy drained, and your self-worth questioned…
And if the only thing keeping you in your job is the paycheck or the fear of what’s next…

You might be in a toxic workplace. And I want you to know something:

You don’t have to stay stuck.

I’ve been there. Thirty years ago, I was part of a broken culture where my voice didn’t matter, I was overlooked for growth, and no one had the courage to fix it.

That experience pushed me out of the organization—and into my purpose. Today, I help leaders and teams across the country confront the hard truth about what’s really happening in their cultures.

Here’s the truth most executives don’t want to hear:

People don’t leave bad jobs. They leave bad leadership. They leave toxic cultures. Most importantly, they leave when they feel like nothing’s ever going to change.

So how do you escape a toxic workplace?

Whether you’re a team member, a mid-level manager, or even an executive feeling the pressure, here are five steps to help you navigate your exit—or your breakthrough.

1. Recognize the Signs for What They Are

Toxic culture doesn’t always scream—it whispers. You’ll see it in microaggressions, exclusion, and passive-aggressive leadership.

Burnout might be disguised as “high expectations,” and you may notice a revolving door of good people leaving quietly.

If these patterns surround you, it’s not your imagination. You’re experiencing toxicity in real time.

2. Stop Waiting for HR to Save You

Let’s be honest: in many organizations, employees no longer trust HR.

Why is that? Too often, HR becomes reactive, compliance-driven, or politically cornered.

If HR in your workplace is more about protecting the company than empowering the people, then don’t wait for them to intervene—because they probably won’t.

3. Know That You’re Not Weak for Wanting to Leave

One of the biggest lies we’ve been told is that leaving a toxic job means giving up.

But that’s not true. Leaving isn’t quitting—it’s choosing self-respect over survival mode.

In fact, some of the strongest, smartest, most socially conscious leaders I know had to walk away to reclaim their voice, their value, and their vision.

4. Reclaim Your Power by Leading Where You Stand

Sometimes, escaping doesn’t mean leaving—at least not yet. Instead, it might mean choosing to lead differently.

It could mean calling out the dysfunction. Or connecting with allies and building a better culture within your team—even when the larger system is broken.

Change is hard. And yes, resistance is real. But so is the impact of one courageous leader doing the right thing, again and again.

5. Build Your Exit Plan—Or Your Elevation Plan

Whether you’re planning your way out or preparing to rise up, having a strategy is critical.

Toxic cultures don’t improve by accident. Without a plan, you’ll likely remain stuck.

So map your move. Talk to people you trust. Build clarity around your next step.

Here’s What You Can Do Next

If you’re navigating a toxic workplace, know this: you’re not alone—and you’re not powerless.

Whether you’re a decision-maker who needs to fix your team’s culture, or a high-potential leader searching for the courage to move forward, I can help.

For 25+ years, I’ve helped leaders escape toxicity—by transforming it.

Let’s talk. If you’re serious about breaking the cycle and building something better, visit antongunn.com/contact to schedule a call.

Or bring me in to speak to your executive team, leadership retreat, or DEI strategy session.

Nobody should be stuck in a system that doesn’t value them.

After all, the most powerful culture change begins when just one person decides to lead differently.