When I decided to pen down my thoughts on this subject, I was a bit sceptical about the reception among the readers. However, I decided to put my viewpoint as I believe it is crucial to point out certain workplace practices that hamper the morale of employees. Last week, my old friend informed me about her resignation. She was frustrated over micro-aggression and the controlling behaviour of her manager. She said her boss was a serial liar and would blame his team members for missing targets. He would also throw his team under the bus to save his face in front of the management. Fed up with his toxic managerial style, some of his team members left the company. My friend moved out even when we expected a decent increment, as she could not tolerate him further. I hope she gets a better opportunity and does not go through a similar experience at the new workplace.
Workplace toxicity stemming from the higher level is a burning issue across the sectors, but switching jobs over toxic managers is not an ideal choice for all. The job market has been marred by layoffs and sluggish recruitment for the last three years. In such a scenario, choosing mental peace over workplace toxicity requires a lot of courage. Distrust, intimidation, lack of freedom and conflicts impact team productivity and create a sense of agitation and insecurity. Toxic managers often try to cash on the vulnerabilities of their team members to serve their purpose. Whether it is shifting responsibility or a blame game, their acts can impact employees’ emotional well-being. When their toxicity starts meddling with emotional health and productivity, consider it a time to set protection boundaries around you.
Here are three ways of dealing with toxic managers.
Read Warning Signs
There are common personality traits of toxic managers one should learn to identify. They are control freaks and try to dominate every aspect of employees’ work life. They also hinder the free flow of information, creating doubts and confusion. They pretend to be friends/family and turn employees to do their chores. They also blame employees for their mistakes and become inaccessible in times of crisis. These are some of the standard behaviour patterns of toxic employees. The best way to deal with them is to set your boundaries. Be mindful of your KRAs and the purpose of your employment. Focus on improving your skillset to fuel your career growth rather than indulging in people pleasing at your job.
Communicate Fairly
The best way to deal with unruly behaviour is to call it out on the right platforms. It is better to talk to the concerned person and express your feelings. However, it is not an option in all work setups. Expand your network and reach out to people who might help to address the issue. Remember that everyone is accountable and answerable to their seniors at the workplace. Always ensure that you communicate clearly and keep relevant people in the loop. Also, refrain from gossip/ conspiracy theories led by managers. Don’t trust hearsay; resolve conflicts within the team through discussion.
Keep Personal Things Personal
We tend to share intimate details of our personal lives in public forums. However, the workplace is not a platform to discuss personal issues and attract attention. Sometimes, people share their problems in the office to garner sympathy or attention. They also try to leverage their problems to shirk work responsibilities. With this approach, they reveal their weak points and invite people to exploit their vulnerabilities. Avoid discussing your life happenings with your managers unless it is a life-threatening crisis. Try to keep your personal and professional life separate as much as possible.
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