Even though remote work is the growing norm, toxic work environments still exist.
World Mental Health Day was recognized on October 10, and the 2024 theme was ‘It is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace.’ This theme reflects a genuine issue that needs to be addressed.
Toxic leadership poses a significant risk to organizations, as even a single individual with an unhealthy managerial style can negatively impact the entire company if left unaddressed.
This kind of leadership can spread like a virus, affecting employee morale, productivity, and overall organizational culture.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NMAI) states that the global economy loses $1 trillion, and Americans lose $192.3 billion in earnings each year due to decreased productivity caused by depression and anxiety in the workplace, with depression being the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Additionally, NMAI reports, “Only 31% of employees say that they are ‘very satisfied’ with the culture within their workplace, with 45% saying they were ‘somewhat satisfied.’”
What Toxic Behavior Looks Like in the Workplace
Toxic behavior takes various forms, such as lack of communication, manipulation, intimidation, mocking, threatening, and abuse. It also includes blaming team members for personal failings, marginalizing them, or causing conflicts among them, reported Entrepreneur. Typically, the most toxic environments are headed by insecure individuals who prioritize their self-interest over the welfare of others.
A boss’s insecurity can be displayed in various ways, including a desire for control, domineering behavior, reluctance to delegate, ghosting, boasting, shifting blame, claiming credit, and making unilateral decisions without seeking or accepting input from others, per Thoughtful Leader.
Leadership Responsibilities
Leadership behavior is frequently responsible for creating toxic work atmospheres but can also significantly contribute to cultivating a more positive environment.
Establishing a safe workplace requires defining responsibilities, fostering individual development, and building a solid support system through effective leadership.
This includes clearly defining roles and duties, establishing achievable expectations, promoting a culture of open thinking, learning from mistakes, and continuous improvement, per Entrepreneur.
Self-awareness and the ability to set an example by accepting feedback, reflecting, admitting mistakes, and being accountable are necessary.
Acknowledging a workplace’s toxicity is the initial step in stopping it. Although this sounds simple, it poses a challenge that numerous business leaders fail to overcome. This is because they often overlook their role in the issue.