213: Is Your Workplace Toxic?
213: Is Your Workplace Toxic?
with Michele Williams
Do you know how to define a toxic workplace? Are you the one bringing the discord into the office or is someone else? Maybe you are looking for a job and want to know what to steer clear from. Today, we are going to talk about what makes a workplace feel yuk – and how to spot areas for improvement.
Topics Mentioned:
Bullying
Belittling
Anxiety
Fear
Listen to the Episode
There is a book I have recommended and given as gifts this year. It is “The FIVE Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni. It is possible for even the healthiest of companies to have some dysfunction, just like any family or group of people.
However, a toxic environment is even more than generalized dysfunction – it is harmful.
Let’ take a minute and define a toxic work environment. A toxic work environment can be summed up with this – it is harmful to your mental health.
Every business has times of stress and times of overwhelm, but when the workplace itself makes you feel terrible about yourself, bullied, ego overruns or power trips – then the work culture is toxic.
Here are some hallmarks of a toxic environment:
The leader is on a power trip. Leadership or management is constantly telling you of their power and reminding you that you work for them in a way that is not healthy.
If there is bullying going on. Constant reminding of how terrible you are at your job, or how they could do it better, or rolling of eyes or shutting you out. You feel the tension.
Unrealistic work practices – demanding that you are too slow, no matter how quickly you get the work done. Not setting clear expectations but always telling you that you missed the mark without clear boundaries and expectations being shared.
When asking questions, you are always met with a condescending attitude, arrogance or unkind and pompous answers which make you fearful of asking.
Lack of empathy or sympathy in the workplace.
Belittling others personhood or self-worth.
Lack of grace for mistakes.
More concerned with work than people.
Fear of failure in any capacity – the feeling of walking on eggshells.
Bad attitudes in all areas and a feeling of constant complaining. Nothing is ever good enough.
Toxic work environments can be created by the owners and managers or by the employees. What is most important is that these attitudes and actions are recognized and stopped immediately.
Maybe you have heard of local companies that seem to have a revolving door of employees. Or you hear of employees leaving and they all seem beat down. That should give you pause to apply at that company.
I have worked with and spoke with people who have left environments like these. Many found themselves slipping into anxiety, depression and becoming a shell of themselves. There was no room for process improvement unless it could be completed flawlessly. There was no room for asking questions without being told how dumb and worthless they were – either directly or indirectly. There was no thought as to their personal wellbeing. A big indicator if you are working in an environment like this is how you feel on Sunday afternoon into Sunday night. If you can feel your anxiety ratchet up, a sick feeling in your stomach at having to go in on Monday morning, and other physical challenges – stop and take a look.
A safe work environment should have the following:
Trust. You trust your management team and they trust you. You are able to share feedback, positive and negative, without fear of repercussion.
Accountability – each team member is accountable to the others, to their clients and vendors. This is a willing accountability and not a heavy yoke.
Conflict is normal and normalized. It is handled with kind and clear communication. Each person is respected in the transaction.
You are all committed to the same pursuit and working together to accomplish it. Everyone feels like part of the team and not on the outside.
People want to be there, and turnover rates are not high.
Roles and responsibilities are clear and communicated.
Leadership skills are evident, and time is spent on being a great leader and follower.
Growth opportunities are discussed and created. Each person is seen as part of a team and also as an individual.
There is a work-life balance.
Each person is treated fairly and there are no favorites.
Creating a company that others want to be a part of takes intention. That is what we focus on so much on this podcast – profitability by intention. Having a culture that is hurtful and harmful will absolutely impact your bottom line. The cost to bring in new talent, train and then start over is a lot. According to the Association for Talent Development, organizations spend on average $1,252 per employee on training and development initiatives. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the cost to onboard a new employee is $4100 per new hire. You can see this is almost $6k combined to hire, onboard and train each new employee. So, every time one leaves and you start over, there is a huge cost. Not to mention the time.
Take some time to evaluate your place of ownership or employment. Which items do you see that are toxic, and what do you see that is safe? If you can, work with your team to provide a more safe environment. You are spending 40 hours a week here, and you need to feel comfortable.
If you are the owner and you notice many of the toxic traits. STOP. Take note. These ideas and actions are top down in most instances. What are your fears that are allowing toxicity to enter your company? Find a counselor or coach to talk to and work through what is at the root of these behaviors. Most of the time it is fear based.
Just because your environment is toxic now doesn’t mean it must stay that way. And just because it is safe doesn’t mean it won’t become toxic. Check out the book I recommended at the beginning of this podcast, “The FIVE Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni. Read it – underline it – put it into practice. Create a healthy environment where team members are staying and bringing in their friends. You will all be more profitable and productive for it.
Check out the resources we have on the ScarletThreadConsulting.com website. Apply for a Discovery Call if you want to talk through how to improve the business you are creating. Choose to be profitable in your company culture – because profit doesn’t happen by accident.
Key Thoughts:
It is possible for even the healthiest of companies to have some dysfunction, just like any family or group of people. However, a toxic environment is even more than generalized dysfunction – it is harmful. Michele (1:11)
Toxic work environments can be created by the owners and managers or by the employees. What is most important is that these attitudes and actions are recognized and stopped immediately. Michele (3:31)
Creating a company that others want to be a part of takes intention. That is what we focus on so much on this podcast – profitability by intention. Michele (6:34)
Just because your environment is toxic now doesn’t mean it must stay that way. And just because it is safe doesn’t mean it won’t become toxic. Michele (8:15)
Contact Michele:
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
References and Resources:
The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni