Drowning in a Puddle of Toxicity
Even small pockets of toxicity can overwhelm the best of teams.
Toxicity in the workplace, whether stemming from managers or staff, poses significant hazards to organizations. Recognizing and addressing this issue is crucial for maintaining a safe and productive work environment.
The scope of this problem was made clear in a recent article from the Harvard Business Review where Mita Mallick stated:
“In a recent FlexJobs survey of 2,600 American workers, 42% of respondents said they were seriously considering quitting their jobs, and 20% said they had quit recently. A toxic workplace culture was the number-three reason workers gave for wanting to quit. And the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Work in America workforce survey found that 22% of employees said their work environment has “harmed their mental health.” Finally, research shows that the repetitive stress from abuse in the workplace can even lead to physical health issues like heart disease and cancer.”
Beyond Health Impacts
In addition to the health impacts mentioned above, workplace toxicity leads to increased turnover among employees. Repeatedly we have witnessed how toxic behaviors contribute to lower levels of job satisfaction, decreased commitment to the organization, and reduced productivity levels. Toxic people are adept at shifting responsibility, causing competent employees to lose credibility and eventually leave or be terminated.
Employees may leave a company with a toxic work environment for a healthier, more positive workplace and sometimes the ones that leave are not the source of your problem – instead, they are the employees that are driven to improve their situation and have the capability to leave.
"People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude." -John Maxwell
Toxic managers may have the right words, but their negative attitudes can quickly poison the entire organization. It is essential to address this issue quickly to prevent further damage.
"Toxic leadership is a damaging management style, using power, manipulation, or control to mistreat employees, making the workplace a struggle." – Max Roslyakov via Xamsor
Photo Credit: Nikko Macaspac via Unsplash
More Risks to the Organization
Toxic leadership often manifests in a cycle where others who have tendencies to abuse their power or position attract others who think the same. This can lead to eroded safety culture and cause harm to effective team collaboration.
"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge."- Simon Sinek
If you have toxic managers or staff in your organization, it is important to take swift action to address the situation through adequate training, coaching, mentoring, or as a last resort, termination. As the saying goes, "One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch." By removing toxicity, you can create a healthier and more productive workplace for everyone involved.
Go Deeper:
Toxic Leadership in Business: The Signs, Risks and How to Handle Them by Max Roslyakov on Xamsor
How to Lead Without Ego for Successful Team Management by Adrian Gomez on Forbes, October 2023
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