Reviews, Endorsements, & Testimonials

   5 out of 5 stars by Robert D. Steele a Top 50 Reviewer on Amazon.com, May 6th, 2010

Disclosure: the publisher sent me this book after asking for permission to do so, and I agreed to read and review the book. Then I got a job that took me overseas and I am just now catching up with my commitment on this specific book.

First off, this is the most comprehensive treatment I have ever seen and the typology that the author developed is very--VERY--scary on multiple levels, including recognizing myself in multiple categories including Socially Clueless, Angry, Rescuer, and Obsessives. Bummer.

I found the book absorbing. Although each "chapter" is really closer to a four-page blurb, there is nothing wrong with the typology, the substance, or the intentions of this book.

At best it should make most people grateful they do not work in a toxic environment. At worst it could be a wake-up call for those who have put up with extraordinary abuse, have come to think of it as normal, and might find this checklist approach to toxic environments helpful.

For me the best part of the book was the end where the author itemizes a number of class action law suits that have led to big wins for some groups, but sadly only have decades of litigation and decades of loss.

The stark reality is that both governments and corporations have forgotten that their mission includes the nurturing of their employees and the communities that host their offices. Ethics has gone down the tubes, and corruption at all levels is the norm. From where I sit, the healthiest route right now is to simply disconnect, move to Seattle, or Portland, or Alaska, and start over. If on the other hand you are a CEO, are being "born again" and want to get it right, then this book is a good introduction to the professional that can help your company get back on the right side of goodness.


   5 out of 5 stars by Larry Underwood, Author 'Life under the Corporate Microscope' (Scottsdale, AZ), Dealing with Worst Case Business Scenarios, February 28th, 2010

"Let's face it. Most people really don't like their jobs, primarily because of the people they have to put up with - from the bosses from hell to the irritating fellow employees who seem to go out of their way to make life miserable for anyone they come in contact with. Welcome to corporate America; it's no wonder things are such a mess out there.

Fortunately, there are ways to deal with the toxic workplace that can greatly enhance anyone's survival skills, and Linnda Durré has compiled this wonderful handbook to help guide us in the right direction. The key to success is simply using good communication skills, compiling detailed documentation of any significant events, as well as maintaining a positive and assertive attitude to accomplish your goals. The meek may inherit the earth, but in the business world, they also inherit the short end of the stick; careers are endangered, stress is high, motivation is low, and productivity is diminished. Unfortunately, this is an all too frequent scenario, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Whether you're an entry level employee, a middle manager, or the CEO, you'll greatly benefit from reading and heeding the author's advice; it could well be the most significant book you'll encounter this year, especially if you're trying to prolong your career or improve your company's bottom line.

That's a pretty crowded playing field, and the stakes are certainly high; this is no time to hesitate. You can thank the author later."


   5 out of 5 stars by writer Maureen Salamon, who wrote this review:

"We often feel very alone -- and very helpless -- when a difficult boss or coworker creates tension in the office or even makes it impossible to do our jobs. Linnda Durré's "Surviving the Toxic Workplace," however, shows us how wrong that perception is.

With pinpoint precision, Durré lays out every imaginable workplace personality, the factors that drive their behavior, and exactly what to do to improve your relationship with them. From "Bonnie the Bossy One" to "Donald the Dealmaker" to "Vicki the Victim," the descriptions of these types of office mates resonate with everyday experiences. They're also laugh-out-loud funny, in many circumstances, and guide the reader step-by-step how to deal with colleagues' weaknesses while also complimenting their strengths.

Most impressive about Durré's book is how easily its advice transfers to "real life" situations that have nothing to do with work. These difficult personalities can be found among acquaintances, friends and family members alike. How many times do we encounter "Viola the Verbal Attacker" around the Thanksgiving dinner table? Or "Monty the Money Borrower" at a summertime family reunion? Even our own siblings or parents can be "Pam the Passive-Aggressive" or "Ben the Brown-Noser!"

"Surviving the Toxic Workplace" will help you survive the game of life -- it's a must-read."


   5 out of 5 stars by Rolf Gompertz, Author 'Sparks of Spirit: How to Find Love & Meaning in Your Life 24 Hours a Day' (North Hollywood, CA), September 20, 2010

This advice book on Surviving the Toxic Workplace is a treasure. It is clear, simple, and practical. It is also brief and to the point. It does not waste time or words.

Furthermore, it is well organized, so you can go right to the situation facing you. From clerks all the way up the ladder to presidents and CEO's, this book can transform how we work and live.

Linnda Durré has a Ph.D. degree after her name, but she does not speak or write like an academic. She speaks and writes in plain English. She also knows of what she speaks and writes. She has been there; she's seen it; she's experienced it. And she nails it.

Most importantly, she gives good, practical advice that works and that can be put into practice instantly No wonder that she knows how to communicate effectively: she's a psychotherapist, business consultant, columnist, corporate trainer, and international speaker. She's also a TV and radio talk show host and she's appeared on top TV programs like Oprah, 60 Minutes, GMA, Today, and O'Reilly, and in major publications like Forbes, Inc Magazine, and Fins (WSJ).

Finally, she's also fun to read and hear because she has a great sense of humor.

This book can help individuals and companies to become happier, more productive entities, make more money, and contribute positively to the world, as well as avoid costly law suits and bad publicity. I highly recommend this book.


   5 out of 5 stars by Dr. Mardy Grothe, October 15th, 2010

"When people are struggling with a difficult boss or co-worker, it can be emotionally draining and even overwhelming. It can also be extremely confusing. What is going on? Why are these people behaving the way they do? How might I be contributing to the problem? What are my options, and what are the risks and benefits of each one? People with work-related 'people problems' need their thinking stimulated -- and Linnda Durré does exactly that in this very helpful book. Conceptually, she offers numerous ideas and concepts, often explaining complex things in simple, easy-to-understand ways. Strategically, she identifies the many options that are available, and helps readers choose the best. And even though her book tackles a serious topic, she often writes with humor and wit. I found her sketches of toxic types to be especially enjoyable and would suggest that she one day expand that portion into a separate book that might be titled 'A Taxonomy of Toxic People and How to Deal With Them.'"


   5 out of 5 stars by Anonymous, July 21st, 2010

Surviving the Toxic Workplace...an excellent guide.

As a former supervisor and manager for many years with a major international telecommunications supplier, I highly recommend Dr. Linnda Durré's book to those with many years of experience as well as to those new to management, and in H.R. It's a down to earth approach, with plenty of common sense, and excellent suggestions. Her book offers a "How To Handle the..." for graduates just starting their careers in industry.


   5 out of 5 stars by Avid Reader, June 6, 2010

The book offers indispensable advice on dealing with all types of difficult co-workers and supervisors. If you are having a tough time with an individual at work, the book spells out the type of the difficult individual involved and what to do when the individual makes one feels uneasy or even blatant outright harassment. I would advise this book to anyone who is employed at any job (applies for both private and government jobs; small and large businesses alike).


   4 out of 5 stars by Jerry Goodranch a reviewer on Amazon.com, October 5th, 2011 - permalink

Surviving The Toxic Workspace - Dr Linnda Durre`s necessarily concise work (there is a need to get to the point simply and quickly in these circumstances) is painted with a relatively broad brush - of course it is. We are not fools - we can all identify the character types approximating to co-workers that can make our lives a misery on a daily basis - and we can adapt the suggested responses to our own circumstances and make the appropriate conceptual leaps. I think some earlier (rather negative) reviews rather miss the point. This book shows that there IS something that can be done - if it can help encourage just ONE person (and that person could one day be YOU) to end their unnecessary suffering in the workspace (and I strongly suggest that it can!) then it has a valuable contribution to make. Well done Dr Durre!


From a message to Dr. Durré by Patricia Warren, September 29th, 2011

Hi Linnda,

Not only was your talk informational, but sublimely professional and entertaining as well. I loved seeing you in action. Your use of the screen visuals is very smart.

Love,
Patricia (Warren)
Author of the best seller, "The Front Runner"


From a message to Dr. Durré by Dr. Shauvi S. Rogers, November 19th, 2010

"Hi Dr. Durré,

Thank you for enlightening our class and Rollins College about the toxic, and often poisonous, environment we may face in our workplace.
It is a pleasure to have heard you speak, firsthand.
We look forward to hearing more about your findings in the near future.

Thank you, again.

Gracious Regards,

Shauvi S. Rogers
Crummer XVII"


#16 of 40 in My Favorite Business & Motivational Books by former Enterprise Rent-a-Car Executive Larry Underwood

After a successful 26-year career with Enterprise Rent-a-Car (1974-2000), I developed a theory on how successful companies engage its employees to produce at their maximum capacity; using what I simply referred to as "common sense"---show that you care about your employees, give them a clear set of core values to follow, and let them have fun on the job. Micro-management is not a part of this scenario; teamwork is a very large part of the plan. Most of all, having motivated employees enthusiastically performing their duties is the key ingredient to a company's long-term success.

My favorite business and motivational books agree with this philosophy, and help show the way things should be done in business; which is unfortunately, quite the opposite way things are now being done. It's time for a change; the sooner, the better!