A challenging work culture can feel impossible to overcome. Not only do you have to face it 40 hours (or more!) each week, but it often seeps into your non-work hours too, impacting your sleep, mood, and more. Fortunately, it is possible to refocus your energy and handle the toxicity in a meaningful way.
Before you turn in your two weeks notice, consider these five tips to help you navigate a challenging work culture.
1. Set clear and firm boundaries.
It’s important to know your boundaries in all areas of life but especially at work. Remember that “no” is a complete sentence. If you feel pressured to take on more tasks or projects, try saying something like: “I’m at capacity right now. Let’s look at what can be postponed or delayed.” If it must get done immediately, you can say, “I don’t have time to do this right now, but let me find someone else who has the space to tackle that.”
Once you set your boundaries, you must stick to them! Stay true to your own limits and never apologize for enforcing them.
2. Reclaim your agency.
While you can’t control the behavior of your manager or colleagues, you can control your responses. To better understand your own feelings and reactions, take some time to self-reflect and ask yourself the following questions:
- How do I respond when I face toxic behaviors?
- What can I do to shift the work culture in a positive direction?
- What is preventing me from finding a new job?
Therapy can also play an impactful role. It may help you better understand the effects of a toxic work culture and teach you tools to protect yourself in future situations. It may also allow you to uncover possibilities that you didn’t previously believe were possible. For instance, you may have thought your willingness to work extra hours made you more valuable when in fact it just made you feel under valued and resentful.
3. Reduce exposures to toxic triggers.
Workplace gossip is a real thing. It can even happen in positive work cultures. Next time you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, be honest about your feelings. Say something like, “I don’t want to talk about this right now,” and then redirect the conversation.
4. Be mindful of micromanagement and its impact on your work culture.
If you’re being micromanaged, consider sending weekly updates or summaries to your manager to preemptively address their need to be over-involved in your work. This approach will also help you control your workflow and reduce unnecessary (and time-consuming) screening.
If this shift doesn’t make a difference, it may be time to have a conversation with your superior. Be direct and to the point: Explain how their micromanagement makes you feel and see if you can find a solution together.
5. Escalate and know when to leave.
Finally, know that you always have other options and plan your exit accordingly. Be aware of your company’s policies and document instances as necessary. If you do have to schedule a meeting with human resources, think about how you hope they will handle it and the outcome you’d like to see.
If all else fails, you may need to prioritize your mental health and leave the job entirely. That’s okay too! A fresh start can be just what you need to regain your joy and peace of mind.
At the Center for Rising Minds, we’d love to help you and your family with your mental health care needs! Please reach out to us today to inquire about our services or join our waitlist.
