How to Thrive (Even) In A Toxic Workplace
TikTok is the latest tech giant to be taken to task by its employees for what is being described as toxic workplace culture and an emphasis on “relentless productivity.” According to The Independent, TikTok staff claim to be suffering burnout and severe mental distress due to its punishing workplace culture. Exhausting hours and sleep deprivation are common amongst staff, while some employees said they averaged 85 hours of meetings per week!
Let that sink in for a moment: 85 hours of meetings. Per week.
I don’t know about you, but I know when I check my calendar and see I have more than 2 meetings in a week, I start to consider faking my own death.
Here’s the good news: we’re in the midst of The Great Resignation. And that means we can all force these giant companies to completely revolutionize their toxic culture, embrace change, and raise salaries 38% across the board by simply walking out. Everybody quits! You quit! And you quit! And youuuuuuuu quit!
WRONG.
Yes, we’re in the midst (though, we might be on the other side of the bell curve now) of The Great Resignation (and I’ve discussed this before), but this doesn’t mean leaving a toxic workplace culture is the only OR best way to handle working in one.
Let me begin with a caveat: not all toxic workplaces are the same and ONLY YOU can know what course of action to take. I would never recommend or advocate for someone to stay in an environment – corporate, entrepreneurial, relational, familial, or any kind – that was causing them any type of harm. If you need to go, you go.
First, let’s address why toxic workplaces are such soul-sucking places that leave you feeling unhappy, unproductive, and undervalued. There are a few key reasons why these kinds of environments are so damaging to your energy levels:
Toxic workplaces often have a high degree of stress and conflict. This can be due to a variety of factors, including unrealistic deadlines, poor communication, a culture of “relentless” productivity and a lack of trust. When you're constantly feeling on edge, it's tough to relax…recharge….and do great work.
Toxic workplaces often have a negative or competitive culture. This can make it hard to feel good about yourself and your work. When you're surrounded by negativity, it's tough to maintain a positive outlook.
Toxic workplaces have poor leadership. Terrible leadership in any organization has a trickle-down effect. Your boss may be a bad leader because their boss is one, and so on. Symptoms of poor leadership include: micromanagement (constant overseeing, criticizing, correcting, or undermining), blaming (passing on the responsibility for mistakes), disrespect, bad communication, lack of integrity, and dictatorial style (using intimidation instead of influence).
And let’s be real: you know it when you see it/experience it.
If you’re in one right now, you’re in good company. A 2021 Skynova survey reports a quarter of employees say there’s a high level of toxicity in their workplace. A third of employees say it’s moderately toxic. For many, leaving the toxic work environment is the solution, hence the Great Resignation. But that option isn’t easy or possible for everyone. So, keeping my above caveat in mind, what if you could learn how to manage your stress levels in a healthy way and be better equipped to deal with the challenges of a toxic workplace? It could mean the difference between suffering in OR sailing through whatever time you choose to stay in that toxic environment AND help you maintain your health and well-being.
What type of person thrives in a toxic work environment? The answer may surprise you. It's not the person who is aggressive or domineering. It's not the person who is always putting their own needs first. In fact, it's not even the person who is always positive and upbeat.
The type of person who thrives in a toxic workplace culture is the one who can manage their energy effectively and has a high level of emotional intelligence.
There are a few different types of people who are likely to be able to manage their energy well and succeed in a toxic workplace environment:
The person who is able to maintain a positive self image and not let the negativity of the workplace get them down. These types of people are usually very optimistic and have strong resilience. They are typically very good at managing their time and setting boundaries between work and personal life but more importantly they understand their body is an emotional filter and so they never entertain undesirable feelings for longer than necessary to “feel it and release it”.
The person who is able to confront the toxicity head-on. These types of people are usually very assertive and unafraid to stand up for themselves. They understand the creationary power of their word and are typically very good at communicating authentically with others and establishing healthy relationships.
The person who is able to distance themselves from the toxicity. These types of people are usually very independent and are not afraid to work on their own. They understand the notion of “energy flows where attention goes” and are typically very good at task management and prioritizing their work.
Not feeling like you’re (naturally) this type of person? Good news! Here are 5 simple things you can do to become the type of person who thrives in spite of a toxic workplace culture:
Manage your energy levels. This is extremely important! When you're feeling drained, take a break and check in with yourself. Be disciplined enough to pull back and give yourself some space to rest and reflect. Never try to just “push through” when your energy is down.
Be aware of your emotions. Yes, your own emotions might be affecting your wellbeing and work performance. If you're feeling stressed, angry, tired or sad (or even hungry), it's important to find healthy ways to deal with those feelings instead of letting them out on yourself or others. Learning how to communicate authentically and effectively is key.
Have a positive attitude. ((cue the eye-rolls)) Sometimes things are cliche for a reason! This doesn't mean that you have to be happy all the time. It just means that you should put having a positive self image first which means you care about yourself and how you feel. People who care about how they feel don’t spend time dwelling on the imperfections of themselves and others so they always find the good in every situation and focus on the positive aspects it - thus they feel better. Energy goes where attention flows and since your attention is the only thing in your full control, use it to focus on things that will always move you back to a place of feeling good.
Be assertive. Assertiveness is key in a toxic workplace culture. You need to be able to stand up for yourself and your beliefs without being aggressive or domineering. You may want to work with a coach to master your speaking and conflict communication skills if you feel shaky in this area.
Be resilient. Resilience is what happens when you give yourself evidence that you can survive difficult things. (See more of how I exercise my own resilience muscle here).
Do you think you have what it takes to thrive in a toxic workplace culture? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
