Toxic boss or difficult manager? How to know if it’s time to quit.

September 21, 2026

I once worked for a boss who couldn't stand me, and it taught me the real difference between a difficult manager and a genuinely toxic one.

Feeling overwhelmed as a director but know you’re capable of more?
Download my free guide “5 Simple Shifts for Strategic Thinking” to transform how you approach your role and position yourself for executive advancement without adding more to your plate.
Episode Summary

I once worked for a boss who couldn't stand me, and it taught me the real difference between a difficult manager and a genuinely toxic one. In this episode, I break down how to tell them apart, and what to do either way. Sign up for my newsletter: morewomenpromoted.com/newsletter 

Ever been convinced your boss just doesn't like you? You're not imagining it, and you're also not stuck.

"Toxic boss" gets thrown around for almost anything now: tough feedback, a manager who plays favourites, someone who changes their mind. But a difficult manager and an actually toxic one call for completely different responses, and mixing them up can keep you stuck in a relationship that's actually worth fixing, or keep you staying somewhere you should have left a long time ago.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

  • The exact pattern of behaviour that separates a toxic boss from a difficult one, and why lumping them together backfires
  • Three ways to actually strengthen a rocky relationship with a manager who isn't your biggest fan
  • How to keep growing your career even when your boss isn't championing you
  • The clear signs it's time to stop trying and start job searching
  • Why building a personal relationship with a difficult manager changes everything, even if grabbing lunch with them is the last thing you want to do
RESOURCES MENTIONED

Join me live in Ottawa, Canada, on October 23rd. Save your seat at owntheroomsummit.com.

Not sure if you're ready for VP? Take the free assessment and find out at morewomenpromoted.com/quiz

 

…LET’S CONTINUE THE CONVO!

Curious what it’s like to work together? Send me a DM on LinkedIn or Instagram (Katy McFee) and tell me what you are working toward and we can take it from there.

Remember, there’s room for all of us at the table.

Hi, I’m Katy McFee
A former VP and EVP who knows how hard it is to break into executive leadership. After years of feeling stuck, I figured it out and now, as a certified executive coach, I help other women do the same. I’ve supported hundreds in landing the promotions they deserve with strategies that make success achievable, without the years of trial and error.