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Toxic Workplace
Office politics are a fact of life in every workplace. To accomplish your career goals, you must approach tricky situations with political intelligence. Our free coaching tips will help you sharpen your political skills and avoid pitfalls.
TOXIC WORKPLACE TOPICS
Some organizations are poisonous, and they can infect everyone who works there. But if you have been in a toxic workplace too long, you may have come to accept sick behavior as normal. And you may even start to think that there’s something wrong with you.
If everyone looks like an enemy, then you are either in a toxic workplace or you need to consider therapy. But if you sense that one or two people have become your opponents, you may very well be right. Almost everybody encounters a few adversaries during their career. The ability to recognize adversaries and respond appropriately can be a critical career survival skill. Start by asking yourself three key questions:
- Is this an actual adversary or simply an annoying person?
- What does this person want?
- How do I keep this person from interfering with my success?
Some difficult bosses are completely toxic, while others just have very annoying habits. And sometimes an employee and a boss are just a bad mix. If you’re not happy with your manager, you need to determine whether the problem lies with you, your boss, or the combination of your two personalities.
Managers should strive to be role models, setting an example of mature, professional behavior. Unfortunately, however, some managers do just the opposite. These immature individuals refuse to control their emotions and freely vent their frustrations by yelling at employees. Amazingly, however, their own bosses seldom see this childish behavior. If you’re stuck with one of these stress-inducing supervisors, here are some coping suggestions.
Having a boss who’s in political hot water can be an uncomfortable situation. But how do you know if your boss is in trouble? Here are a few clues to look for . . .
Although no magic formula exists for predicting job security, this Quick Quiz can help you consider various factors that may determine whether you wind up on a layoff list. Although some things are out of your control, many are not. For job security advice, check out How to Avoid Losing Your Job.
Secrets to Winning at Office Politics
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