Surviving a Toxic Company: How to Turn Adversity Into Success

Are you working in a toxic company? - a company in which….

- Management, at least some in management, think their title is license to humiliate, to continually find fault with, to threaten, and generally to make life miserable for their staff. How can employees be expected to innovate and take risks, when they are treated as failures?

- There’s a “slip up and you’re out” mentality. How can you be expected to take on new responsibilities, to lead a project team, etc., when management is just waiting for you to make the job-ending mistake?

- The organizational culture is one of negativity, back-biting, getting ahead at the expense of others. How can you exhibit “team spirit” when it’s everyone for himself?

As a result, people come to work stressed, already expecting the boss to shout at them, or co-workers to sabotage their work or take credit for it. They feel powerless – being jerked around on the end of a chain. Each day is a repeat of the days before, and by the time the day is over, you are drained, discouraged, angry and demoralized.

If that describes your situation, you need a strategy to deal with it, so that it doesn’t do mental and physical harm to you. We know that stress causes all kinds of harm to your physical health. But it also poisons your mental attitude. And it’s your mental attitude which will ultimately determine your work and career success.

The first step to surviving a toxic company is to recognize a few facts:

1) There are many ways to react to your environment and people in it. You’ve probably adopted only one way – and it may or may not be working for you. Each day observe how others handle the toxic environment and see if their strategies might make sense for you.

2) There are people who can handle this toxicity and not let it bring them down, and who keep a positive attitude. Keep your eyes open for such people. Find ways to talk with them – about the company, about their work strategy, about your own work. Just being around these people can provide a source of positive energy you can benefit from.

3) Realize that when the boss is shouting (at you or others), that does not actually diminish you, but rather him. Say this over and over until you know it deep in your core: “The boss shouting is about him – not about me – no matter what I did or did not do.” When you master this, you’re making great progress toward health. (You may even find that the boss shouts less and less as a result.)

4) When you find yourself playing the same toxic game as the rest of the organization – whether it is complaining about the boss with your colleagues, or about the company, first notice that. Second, at least add something positive, such as completing the following sentence; “What the company/boss really needs to do is ________.” Then, every once in awhile, select one of those things you think should be done, and do something about it – either doing it yourself or taking it to the boss as a suggestion. When you propose it, be sure to connect your suggestion to some performance goal your boss cares about.

5) When you feel powerless, recognize that the powerless feeling, though it seems to come from the culture and the “fact” that the boss hasall the power, actually comes from yourself. Your deeper self (some would say your “soul”) has perhaps put you in this position – not to punish you for some sin – but rather to discover and express your own power. Expression of that power may be as dramatic as becoming a whistle blower, but more likely it will be something like standing up when a lie is being told, and speaking the truth, or refusing to do something unethical (either to a co-worker or a customer). Knowing that the truth will really set you free, you will be amazed at the amount of power you truly have.

6) Next realize that your power is not merely a negative power – to stand in the way of toxic management or to speak out against an injustice. It is even more powerful as a positive force. When you stand for something, you expand your energy and power. It could be something as simple as suggesting a way to honor someone who has contributed to the company – or a customer - and then to carry it out. It can be to stand up for someone who is being berated, pointing out how that person has contributed to your work, etc. It may also help you discover your true calling.

7) Ultimately, you have the power to leave the work organization. Yet some believe that they are locked in – by all the benefits they have built up, or by the fear that they wouldn’t be able to find a decent job elsewhere. But rather than flee the situation, use your current situation as a way to build your knowledge – not just about the industry or your profession, but about what it takes to lead an organization to great performance. When/if you leave, make sure that (emotionally), you are not merely fleeing from your situation, but more importantly are moving toward something positive.

8) Lastly, know that there are great companies out there to work for – and this group of companies is growing. They come from the ranks of the largest companies and from smaller, privately-held companies. Look for them, and you will find them.

So, take this time while involved in a toxic company to build your own muscles of insight, of wisdom, of compassion, of inclusion, of freedom, of service – for you will have the opportunity to put these all to good use – either in helping transform your current company into a noble enterprise – or to go elsewhere and contribute to their success.