I Thought I Was Finally Making It
In 2011, after nearly a decade of climbing the corporate ladder in the banking world, I was promoted into my first official management role. With a team of 15 people reporting to me, I was ready. It wasn’t like I knew everything about leadership, but I had a vision. I wanted to build strong relationships with my team and ensure we did not become a toxic workplace. I believed that if they felt seen, supported, and respected, they’d thrive—and I’d grow with them.
But my manager didn’t agree.
She believed in control. Fear. Power.
Her leadership style was rigid and often cruel. She berated me daily in closed-door meetings, made me question my instincts, and constantly reminded me that I wasn’t good enough.
The experience was toxic.
It chipped away at my confidence.
I developed anxiety.
Eventually, I broke down.
One day, I left her office and couldn’t stop crying. A colleague—our front desk greeter—quietly pulled me aside and said words I’ll never forget:
“You need to leave. Now.”
And I did.
I went on a six-week stress leave. Called HR. I called my therapist. Asked myself what I was doing with my life—and how I had let it get to this point.
Then something incredible happened.
The next day, I got an email from a competing bank asking if I’d be interested in a branch manager position. It was as if the universe had been waiting for me to break free of that toxic workplace before opening a door.
The Hidden Gift of Painful Work Experiences
At the time, it felt like my world was falling apart. But looking back, I now see it as the moment everything started to fall into place.
If I hadn’t been pushed to the edge, I would have never looked outside the organization I had been loyal to for years. I wouldn’t have taken the risk. I wouldn’t have discovered that leadership didn’t have to look the way I had been taught.
That one painful experience showed me that:
- Not all workplaces are the same.
- Leadership can be kind, empowering, and human-centric.
- I was more resilient than I realized.
That toxic manager unintentionally set off a chain reaction.
I took the new job.
Then, I:
Left Toronto.
Moved to San Francisco.
Pursued my MBA.
Pivoted into a new career in human resources and executive coaching.
Eventually moved to New York.
And now, I run Eunioa—a fractional HR and leadership consulting firm rooted in empathy, strategy, and transformation.
Why I Created Eunioa
Eunoia means “beautiful thinking” or “well mind.” It’s a reflection of what I believe is missing from many workplaces today: care, clarity, and courage.
At Eunoia, we help organizations:
- Navigate toxic workplace culture
- Build people-first HR systems
- Coach managers into compassionate, effective leaders
- Deliver customized leadership development programs
- Conduct pulse surveys and employee assessments
- Guide teams through change, conflict, and communication breakdowns
But beyond the services we offer, what sets us apart is this:
We’ve been there.
We understand what it’s like to feel trapped, unappreciated, or silenced.
We know how it feels to love your job but hate the environment in a toxic workplace.
We know what it’s like to lead with heart—and be punished for it.
And we also know how to build something better.
You’re Not Stuck Forever
If you’re in a toxic workplace right now, it may feel hopeless.
You may be questioning your worth.
You may be wondering how you ended up here.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
Sometimes, pain is a catalyst.
It doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means you’re growing.
It’s pushing you toward a version of yourself you haven’t yet met.
Whether you’re looking to rebuild your career, heal from workplace trauma, or lead differently than those who led you, there’s a path forward.
And you don’t have to walk it alone.
Let’s Build a Better Workplace Together
If this story resonates with you, I’d love to hear yours.
Leave a comment.
Send a message.
Or explore how Eunioa can support your organization or personal leadership journey.
Visit: https://eunioa.io/career/
Book a free strategy call: calendly.com/rosey-singh-eunioa/free-strategy-call
Follow us on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/eunioa
You’re not stuck.
You’re just being redirected.
And there’s something beautiful waiting on the other side.
