On occasion, I interact with people who describe how toxic their work environment is.
Just yesterday, a dear friend described her work environment to me as a box with crabs in it, where everyone is trying to claw at others and get to the top by pulling others down!
From teams with stifling micro-managers, to employees who feel undervalued, to burnt-out individuals who have tucked work-life balance away as a fictitious concept, to companies where gossip and slander are allowed to thrive, different people have described how toxic they find their work environments to be.

In fact, many wake up every day waiting for the day they would get out and find a blissful work environment where it’s all strawberry cheesecake and pot lucks with bosses who waltz into work like Fraulein Maria, encouraging everyone to ‘’think of their favourite things’’ and allowing everyone to bring their strengths to the table. (Do those places even exist?)

Recently, I had a moment of introspection. You know, it can be easy to point fingers at toxic co-workers, and describe how unbearable it is to work with them, but what about our own actions? Could you unknowingly be contributing to the negativity at work? Could you be the reason another person painfully describes his/her workplace as toxic?
In this series of posts, we’ll explore actionable strategies to help you avoid becoming the toxic co-worker and ensure you are truly shining the light in your workplace. It is my hope that these posts will cause you to think, NOT about others, but about yourself and how the change can start with you.

Identify What Triggers You
Toxic behaviour often stems from unchecked emotions. The first step to avoiding negativity is understanding what your triggers are.
– Do tight timelines make you feel agitated?
– Do you have certain people in the workplace who turn you off?
– Do you prefer working independently and get triggered when you’re not allowed to contribute?
Try this:
Start writing down your workplace experiences. Note when you feel frustrated. Be aware of those situations that trigger you and practice staying calm, knowing they will pass.

Make Empathy a Daily Practice
Showing empathy is one remedy for toxicity. When you take a little time to understand the people around you and their perspectives, you can respond a bit more thoughtfully instead of reacting. In my case, it took me listening to a colleague share experiences, at a work retreat, about his family size (he had over a dozen younger siblings) to understand why he appeared so driven. After listening to him speak, I was able to show more empathy seeing all the pressure he was under to help his large family!
Try this:
If a colleague misses a deadline, instead of assuming they are lazy, ask if they’re overwhelmed or need help. This small act of kindness can improve your work relationships and the dynamics of your team.

Shun Gossip – And Yes, Gossip Isn’t Always Malicious
You know how sometimes we try to explain gossip away. We pontificate and claim we are not actually gossiping, we are just describing a situation or person. We even brag that we could say the same things to their faces. Gossip might feel like harmless venting, but it breeds mistrust and toxicity. Instead of succumbing to the temptation to engage in workplace gossip:
– Redirect conversations toward solutions.
– Politely excuse yourself from gossip-filled discussions.
– Like the caption for the movie, See no evil, hear no evil, refuse to be anyone’s dumping ground. Don’t form allies and join fights you have no business being in. Mind your business!
Try this:
This week, practice gratitude. Send a quick message or email to a co-worker, acknowledging something good they do at work. Support like this breeds a healthy workplace culture.

Do you notice any signs of toxicity in your workplace? Share your experiences in the comments section below, and let’s explore ways to create a positive change together!
Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll dive deeper into actionable strategies for avoiding toxicity and fostering a positive work environment. It’s time to shift from merely enduring to taking control of your workplace happiness.
To be continued…