The 15 ways that you can talk to Toxic People

1. Keep your responses short and neutral

Toxic people thrive on drama. The less emotion you show, the less they have to feed off

2. Set Clear Boundaries

Firmly state what you will and won't tolerate. Example: "I'm happy to discuss this, but only if we keep it respectful."

3. Don't Argue - Stay Calm and Focussed

Toxic people want to trigger you. If you stay composed, they lose their power.

4. Use "I" Statements Instead of "You" Statements

Say, "I need a respectful conversation", instead of, "You're always being rude". It reduces defensiveness.

5. Avoid Getting Pulled Into Their Negativity

Redirect the conversation or disengage when they try to drag you into gossip, drama, or complaints

6. Repeat Yourself if Needed

If they ignore your boundary, calmly restate it: "As I said, I won't discuss this right now."

7. Don't Take Their Words Personally

Their toxic behaviour is about them, not you. Remind yourself that their reaction doesn't define your worth.

8. Use Silence as a Response

Sometimes, the best way to shut down negativity is to say nothing at all

9. Avoid Trying to Change Them

You can't fix a toxic person, but you can control how you respond to them

10. Stick to the Facts, Not the Emotion

Keep the conversation focussed on facts and avoid letting emotions drive the discussion

11. Limit Your Exposure to Them

Minimise interactions and keep conversations brief when possible

12. Redirect the Conversation

If they start complaning, shift the topic: "Let's focus on what we can do to fix this"

13. Have an Exit Strategy

If they won't stop being toxic, excuse yourself : "I need to get back to work - let's continue this later"

14. Use Humour to Diffuse Tension

A light-hearted comment can sometimes defuse negativity and shift the tone

15. Know When to Walk Away

If the conversation isn't productive, politely disengage: "I don't think this is going anywhere, so let's pause here."