How to Spot Red Flags Before Accepting Your Next Role: Insider Interview Strategies with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett
Are you ready to finally escape the soul-crushing grip of toxic bosses and workplaces for good? Imagine waking up on Monday actually excited for work, feeling confident you can spot the red flags before you ever get trapped again, and knowing exactly how to protect your peace (and your career) no matter who’s in charge. I’m breaking down the real-life strategies, warning signs, and support systems you need to get there—so you can stop surviving and start thriving, even if you’re not ready to quit just yet.
What if the one thing that could save your sanity at work isn’t learning to “tough it out”—but actually doing the exact opposite? Dr. Laura Hamley Lovett spent 25 years studying toxic bosses and she’s not just got the research, she’s got the receipts from her own career. In this episode, she uncovers survival tactics you’ve probably never considered, reveals the surprising signs you might be walking into a toxic environment before you even accept the offer, and shares why the people who care the most often get targeted the hardest. But here’s the twist: the real game-changer for escaping toxic leadership isn’t what you think. Ready to find out what it is—and why it might change everything for your career and your mental health?
In this episode, you will be able to:
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Discover how to survive toxic bosses and workplaces without losing your sanity or passion for your career.
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Learn strategies for navigating toxic leadership that protect your mental health and keep you moving forward.
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Spot red flags in job interviews early to avoid stepping into a toxic work environment.
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Understand the hidden impact toxic bosses have on your mental health and how to shield yourself from burnout.
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Build a supportive network that empowers you to stand strong against workplace toxicity and thrive.
My special guest is Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett
DR. LAURA HAMBLEY LOVETT is an organizational psychologist and thought leader sought-after internationally for her expertise on workplace culture, career development, toxic leadership, and burnout. Along with her 25 years of experience in her field, she holds a PhD in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Calgary, where she is currently an adjunct professor. A passionate entrepreneur, she has founded several psychology practices in Canada and hosts the widely followed podcast Where Work Meets Life. In addition to I Wish I’d Quit Sooner, she has published two psychological thrillers, Losing Cadence and Finding Sophie, aimed at both captivating readers and raising awareness on important topics around mental health and domestic violence, currently being adapted for a TV series. Dr. Laura is also co-founder of the WITH HER movement focused on ending violence against women and girls. She received a Canadian Women of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:01:20 - Defining Toxic Bosses vs Difficult Bosses with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett
00:05:30 - Survival Strategies When Stuck with a Toxic Boss
00:11:40 - The Psychological Contract and Reframing Mindset to Cope
00:13:30 - Avoiding Toxic Bosses in Future Roles and Importance of Empathy
00:14:16 - Understanding Why Empaths Attract Toxic Bosses and Narcissists
00:16:01 - How to Avoid Reporting to a Toxic Boss: Due Diligence and Networking Strategies
00:18:21 - Assessing Workplace Culture and Leadership Authenticity Before Joining
00:22:37 - Why Organizations Retain Toxic Rock Star Leaders Despite Talent Loss
00:26:47 - Toxic Leadership’s Role in Burnout and Effective Systemic Interventions
00:28:45 - Understanding Toxic Leadership and Generational Burnout
00:30:00 - Navigating Multi-Generational Workplaces and Emotional Intelligence
00:33:00 - Advocating for Workplace Flexibility and Neurodiversity Inclusion
00:36:00 - Eradicating Toxic Leadership for Healthy Organizational Culture
00:37:30 - Parallels Between Workplace Toxicity and Gender-Based Violence
00:42:43 - Recognizing and Overcoming Toxic Leadership in the Workplace
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Check out the exclusive bonus episode coming soon with Dr. Lovett on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theWorldofDifference.
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Pre-order or purchase Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett’s book, I Wish I'd Quit Sooner, available for pre-order and soon on her website, Dr. Laura Live.
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Listen to the Where Work Meets Life podcast with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett.
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Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp by signing up at www.betterhelp.com/difference.
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Keep making a difference wherever you are!
Lori Adams-Brown, Host & Executive Producer
A World of Difference Podcast
