I Wish I'd Quit Sooner - by Laura Hambley Lovett (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A must-have practical guide by a leading mind in the organizational psychology field for anyone suffering under a toxic boss to navigate, escape, recover, and take back control of their career.

Today's workers are increasingly frustrated and disillusioned as toxic bosses are allowed to thrive across organizations and industries, from the boardroom to the Zoom room. I Wish I'd Quit Sooner is a fresh, informative, and practical guide for the millions of employees worldwide who endure unhealthy workplace dynamics. This insightful book helps readers recognize the signs of toxic leadership--and gives them strategies to better manage their situation, exit, and recover.

Based on Dr. Laura's twenty-five years of applied experience in the field of organizational psychology and informed by her latest North American research on this topic, this is an engaging, relatable, and evidence-based handbook that provides a new language around the behaviors and impacts of a toxic boss, including a breakdown of eight common personas: the Self-Serving Egomaniac, the Control Freak, the Dishonest Manipulator, the Great Divider, the Unethical Corrupter, the Abusive A-Hole, Disordered Personalities (Narcissist and Sociopath), and the Gaslighter.

With the help of I Wish I'd Quit Sooner, readers will learn practical tools to identify and start important conversations, to advocate for themselves, and to regain control of their career and well-being.

Review Quotes

"This book cuts through the noise. Dr. Laura names what many are afraid to: Toxic bosses are real, and so is your power to rise above them. It's a clear, compassionate guide for choosing accountability, not victimhood--even in tough situations."--Cy Wakeman, drama researcher and New York Times best-selling author of No Ego

"For anyone who has toxic boss or are worried they might, I Wish I'd Quit Sooner is a much-needed survival kit. Dr. Laura draws from her extensive research to help recognize a toxic boss and chart a healthier way forward."--Brigid Schulte, journalist and New York Times best-selling author of Over Work and Overwhelmed

"Stuck under a toxic boss? You're not alone--and you're not powerless. Dr. Laura's essential guide offers practical strategies, expert insights, and real-world examples to help you navigate difficult workplace dynamics, protect your well-being, and take back control of your career."--Mary Abbajay, author of Managing Up: How to Move Up, Win at Work and Succeed with Any Type of Boss

"A necessary punch of truth for a world that too often rewards the opposite."--Paul McCarthy, speaker and author of The F.I.R.E.D. Leader: Reinventing the Future of Leadership

"Dr. Laura offers far more than an escape plan from toxic bosses: She delivers a blueprint for cultivating the kind of psychologically safe, high-engagement workplaces that reduce burnout and elevate performance. I Wish I'd Quit Sooner is equal parts wake-up call and roadmap--a rigorously researched, story-rich guide that transforms personal pain into the brighter future of a better workplace. If you care about people and results, this book belongs not just on your shelf but also as the cornerstone of your organizational culture."--C. Allen Gorman, PhD, industrial-organizational psychologist and associate professor of management at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

"This book nails it. Clear structure, sharp insights, and zero fluff. Whether you're dealing with a toxic boss now or just want to understand what to avoid, it's a toolkit you'll come back to."--Philip Vanhoutte, work well champion and coauthor of The Smarter Working Manifesto

"How I wish I had this book as a resource when I was working for a toxic boss! Dr. Laura's work is validating and provides a practical and emotionally supportive step-by-step plan to move from feeling helpless to regaining control of your career and life."--Anonymous, VP in the Canadian energy industry

"Toxic bosses are incredibly painful, but do not define you nor your career. This book is a helpful guide to surviving a toxic boss and, more importantly, to recovering afterward and finding ways to thrive again."--Andrew A. Schmidt, PhD, HR executive and creator of the Toxic Leadership Scale

About the Author

Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is an organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, business leader, adjunct professor of psychology, and host of the podcast Where Work Meets Life(TM). With twenty-five years of business and consulting experience, she is a recognized thought leader on workplace psychology, leadership, career development, and the future of work. The founder of Canada Career Counselling, in 2018 she won the Canadian Women of Inspiration (Global Influencer) Award. Dr. Laura is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada overlooking the Rocky Mountains.