Managing a Toxic Work Environment

Introduction

• Toxic work environments have inappropriate stressors affecting both work and personal life.
• Common issues include unhealthy competition, low morale, bullying, negativity, and high employee turnover.
• Questions to consider: Should I leave? How do I manage/report this?

Steps to Manage a Toxic Work Environment

Step 1: Conduct Inventory

• Review past month/quarter experiences in the workplace.
• Observations to Note:
  • Feelings and expressions of coworkers.
  • Communication style between bosses and employees.
  • Treatment of successes and failures.
  • Presence of shaming, bullying, gossip, inappropriate criticisms.
  • Turnover rates and associated complaints.

Step 2: Choose to Lead

• Model the behavior you wish to see in the workplace.
• Extreme Ownership:
  • Take control over your responses and actions.
  • Identify toxic elements and actively demonstrate positive behavior changes.
• Influence through care, compassion, and concern.

Step 3: Collect Truthful Documentation

• Document all relevant interactions and decisions.
• Include: emails, meetings, conversations with timestamps, dates, involved parties, and outcomes.
• Provides evidence for potential complaints and protects against retaliation.

Step 4: Communicate the Truth

• After steps 1-3, communicate your observations effectively to key individuals.
• Communication Tips:
  • Avoid blame; focus on factual, effective communication.
  • Request anonymity to prevent retaliation.
• Opportunity to influence systemic change within the organization.

Step 5: Craft Your Exit

• Determine if and when leaving is the right decision post-steps 1-4.
• Consider:
  • Possibility of systemic change or necessity to leave.
  • Making an informed decision based on personal best interest.
• In case of urgency, consider a "bridge job".

Additional Considerations

• Burnout and Boundaries:

  • Burnout isn’t always linked to toxicity; could be due to lack of healthy boundaries.
  • Essential to set boundaries with coworkers and bosses.

• Feeling Undervalued:

  • Feeling unappreciated doesn’t necessarily indicate toxicity.
  • Focus on negotiation and self-advocacy skills to express and fulfill needs.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to engage, comment, and subscribe for further support on career journey.
• Invitation to book a coaching call for personalized guidance on effective communication and leadership in the workplace.