• A toxic work culture sounds intimidating, but employees and managers can improve it with the right tools.
• If you have a bossy boss or struggle to be inclusive, the following books may help.
• These seven choices underline the importance of alliance, cultural awareness and innovative leadership.

Whether you’re back in the office or working from home, a toxic corporate culture can make you feel trapped. Maybe your bossy boss doesn’t respect your time, maybe two of your employees just can’t get along, or maybe women and minorities don’t feel as welcome as men white.

Whatever the problem, we’ve got the good news: There are steps you can take to make things better. Check out the Seven Notable Reads below if you’re ready to start transforming your office culture, even if there are a few jerks in the way.

Download the Next Big Idea app for “Book Bite” summaries of hundreds of new non-fiction books like these.

1. “How to be an ally: actions you can take for a stronger, happier workplace” by Melinda Briana Epler

Through the power of the alliance, each of us can create a fair and innovative workplace where everyone feels safe, valued and able to thrive.

Listen to our recap of Book Bite, read by author Melinda Briana Epler, in the Next Big Idea app

2. “Toxic: A Guide to Rebuilding Respect and Tolerance in a Hostile Workplace” by Clive Lewis

A corporate psychologist draws on decades of HR and mediation experience to distill the issues and underlying causes of toxic workplaces before demonstrating how toxicity can be both prevented and resolved.

Listen to our recap of Book Bite, read by author Clive Lewis, in the Next Big Idea app

3. “Inside: How to Heal from Racial Trauma in the Workplace” by Minda Harts

From the powerful author of “The Memo,” the essential self-help book for women of color to heal – and thrive – in the workplace.

Listen to our recap of Book Bite, read by author Minda Harts, in the Next Big Idea app

4. “Did that just happen? ! : Beyond Diversity – Building Sustainable and Inclusive Organizations ”by Stephanie Pinder-Amaker and Lauren Wadsworth

This manual by two clinical psychologists explains how organizations (and all people) can improve their cultural awareness and become more equitable in their work and personal relationships.

Listen to our summary of Book Bite, read by authors Stephanie Pinder-Amaker and Lauren Wadsworth, in the Next Big Idea app

5. “Think Talk Create: Building Workplaces Fit for Humans” by David Brendel and Ryan Stelzer

A brilliant counter-narrative to restore humanity to the culture obsessed with numbers and modern labor results of the 21st century.

Listen to our recap of Book Bite, read by co-authors David Brendel and Ryan Stelzer, in the Next Big Idea app

6. “Include: the power of uniqueness and belonging to build innovative teams” by Stefanie K. Johnson

In this groundbreaking guide, a management expert describes the Transformative Leadership Competency of Tomorrow, a skill that can build truly diverse and inclusive teams that value employees’ need to belong while being themselves.

Listen to our summary of Book Bite, read by author Stefanie K. Johnson, in the Next Big Idea app

7. “Business Doing Good: Engaging Women and Elevating Communities” by Shannon Deer and Cheryl Miller

“Business Doing Good” describes six principles that business leaders can apply to effectively hire women who have lived through incarceration, poverty, drug addiction and / or involvement in the sex trade.

Listen to our recap of Book Bite, read by authors Shannon Deer and Cheryl Miller, in the Next Big Idea app