Last week, our very own Polly Walker, wrote a great piece about horrible bosses and poor leadership. Great read and I encourage you to take a look at it.
And now, a bit of a different perspective related to a toxic working environment and the signs that you may be in one:
Hiring and Promoting Practices
Based on experience, longevity or insider favoritism. Over-values technical skills and under-values interpersonal skills. Turnover, or transfers out are extremely high. Those not transferring or leaving are looking.
Input Not Solicited
Never is input, comments or ideas solicited from team members. The boss has all the ideas and dictates outcomes.
Favoritism and Harassment are Permitted
Even when reported, rampant favoritism and harassment is ignored or tolerated. Only the lowest level team members are actually held accountable for a code of conduct.
Learning is Ignored
Little or no value is given to learning and growth. Opportunities for learning and growth are minimized for “work coverage” and no holistic view is given to team member learning.
Needs Are Not Met
The primary needs of self-esteem and relationship connectivity are not met or are not being fed. The environment does not encourage social interactions and praise is only used begrudgingly.
Communication Vehicle and Frequency
Too much email and not enough face-to-face communication occurring. Email is used to cover your you-know-what. Widespread copies and blind copies. Good communication is rare and rumors rule the data flow.
Opaque Transparency
Secrecy and those who know versus who does not know. Nothing is shared in a forthright and open manner. Creates huge amounts of anxiety among team members.
Budget is King
All hail the mighty budget! Doesn’t matter what the right thing is or where opportunity is missed, its all about being under budget.
Right is Never Right
As obvious as the right thing is, it escapes the toxic environment. Discipline for the bad is ignored and taking care of the good is an afterthought.
