7 in 10 US workers have worked for an employer they consider toxic ☠️
And according to iHire's 2026 Toxic Workplace Trends Report, based on 1,220 employees across 57 industries, the culprit is not hard to identify
79.1% of those who experienced toxicity blamed poor leadership
Toxicity ☠️ starts at the top
Not with the team
Not with the culture deck
With the people setting the tone
Boards & CHROs cannot ignore👇🏼
🔻72.1% cited poor communication from leaders & managers
🔻68.8% pointed to unfair treatment of employees
🔻65.0% flagged a lack of support, recognition or development
🔻43.2% feel burned out "always" or "often"
🔻32.4% have cried at work because of the environment
🔻47.6% have quit a job because of a toxic workplace
🔻61.9% told others about their experience
🔻26.2% actively advised candidates NOT to apply
3 uncomfortable truths every CEO & CHRO should confront
1️⃣ Some HR departments have a trust problem
38.8% of employees who witnessed toxic behaviour never reported it
45.1% said they doubted HR or leadership would act
& they were right — 51.4% of those who did report saw nothing addressed
Silence is not culture health
It is a symptom of eroded trust
2️⃣ Conflict avoidance has become the operating model
41% of employees say conflicts "always" or "often" go unresolved
Every unresolved conflict compounds
Retention, engagement & discretionary effort quietly walk out the door
3️⃣ AI is not the fix, & not the villain
Only 18.9% think AI is improving culture, 9.5% think it is worsening it
The rest? Neutral
The technology amplifies whatever culture already exists:
Toxic leadership + AI = surveillance, unrealistic output expectations & lost human connection
Strong leadership + AI = productivity, creativity & better decisions
You cannot code your way out of a leadership problem
Employees themselves named the fix: 79% want clearer communication from leadership, 65% want protected work-life balance, 64% want managers trained to model respectful behaviour
📌 A question for CEOs, Chairs & CHROs:
If nearly 4 in 10 of your employees who witness toxic behaviour never report it — & half of those who do see nothing change — what exactly is your engagement survey actually measuring?
That silence is your real culture data
📣 But don't take my word for it, take it from a client of mine, a VP of a top technology company who didn’t have great chemistry with his newly appointed C-suite line manager.
💬 “Working with Navid has been a transformative experience in my role. His insights and guidance helped me refine my strategic approach, leading to more effective solution designs and seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams. Navid's ability to break down complex challenges and provide actionable advice has been invaluable to my professional growth. His coaching style is both empowering and results-driven, making a significant impact on my leadership and decision-making skills.”
#Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #TransitionIQ
About Navid Nazemian
Ranked as the world’s #1 Executive Coach by CEO Today for the third year running, I partner with senior leaders to navigate complexity, accelerate performance, and lead through critical transitions. Over the past two decades, I’ve supported hundreds of executives in overcoming unproductive thinking and solving their most complex leadership challenges—helping their organizations build world-class cultures and create lasting value.
If you’d like to reflect on a leadership challenge, an upcoming transition, or how I might support you, you’re very welcome to reply directly to this email.
You can also:
1. Connect with me on LinkedIn for additional leadership insights
2. Explore my international best-selling book "Mastering Executive Transitions: The Definitive Guide" described by Dr. Marshall Goldsmith as “THE ultimate guide to executive transitions to help leaders achieve their highest potential”
3. Enrol in my newly launched e-Learning programme Mastering Leadership Transitions - my transition methodology in a self-paced format for leaders at every level
4. Work with me on a per-session basis via EveryExpert - a flexible alternative to a full coaching engagement, starting with a complimentary 15-minute Chemistry Call
What's Next? More insights on leadership, transitions, and executive effectiveness are coming your way next week. I’d genuinely value your perspective—feel free to share your reflections by replying to this email. I read every response.
Navid
