In the following essay, we examine how recruitment consultants avoid and prevent recruiting toxic leadership. To investigate this topic, a qualitative study was applied, where five recruitment consultants were interviewed in order to tell us about their experiences on the subject. These experiences were discussed and we noted that it is in certain parts of the recruitment process, where characteristics and behaviours are being dealt with, that are essential for our recruitment consultants to help them avoid toxic leadership. We compiled the empirical material in tables and could establish that some traits and behaviours that were repeated during the interviews are linked to toxic leadership. For example, when leaders are outspoken, mean and unsympathetic. These characteristics and behaviours can be distinguished by the recruitment consultants during the parts of the recruitment process called interviews, reference taking and testing. Furthermore, we discuss the recruitment consultants' perception regarding whether a leader is toxic or whether something toxic can be created depending on the context. From this discussion, we conclude that recruiters in the recruitment process find it easier to avoid something that is toxic rather than something that could possibly be toxic.