Dealing with a toxic boss is a topic least explored. The serial fear of being painted as an unappreciative, hateful person drives people into absolute silence and eventual depression. Toxic bosses have a negative influence that stretches beyond the office.
Moreover, toxic bosses make employees working with them feel self-critical and lacking in more ways than one. In extreme cases, employees become miserable and dormant.
If you want to help your employees soar in their careers, here is what you shouldn’t do;
- Closed Communication
While a manager may not want to discuss the reasons for every thought process, having some level of transparency is crucial to a well-functioning team. When toxic managers refuse to communicate with their staff, employees often “fill in the gaps” of missing information through speculation and gossip.
2. Focusing on short-term “optics.”
For toxic managers, all that matters is that the organization appears to be running smoothly from the outside, and that they look good in their position. However, just because something looks good on the surface doesn’t mean the foundation isn’t crumbling. By only focusing on the short-term gains, profits and payoffs, instead of deeper, long-term improvements, staff members are directed to adopt temporary “band-aid” solutions.
3. Black and White Thinking.
Good managers possess the ability to make difficult yes or no decisions when needed, but toxic managers take black and white thinking to a new level. The ‘you’re either with us or against us’ mentality discourages constructive disagreement among staff members, and in extreme cases, the toxic manager can end up demonizing outspoken staff members who challenge the status quo. Effective managers are able to occupy a gray space and find nuance in decisions and perspectives. Toxic managers adopt a “my way or the highway” approach that suppresses innovation.
4. Treating Your Employees with Disdain
Being the boss hands you certain perks alongside certain responsibilities. It’s evident you earned the position from the series of hard work you put into your work. However, don’t look down upon your juniors as though they are a bunch of basic thinkers. Once in a while, make time for conversation to show that you are approachable.
5. Avoiding pitching in
Being the boss may take you away from some responsibilities that the rest of your team do on a daily basis. It’s one thing to skip certain tasks because you have other responsibilities. It’s another entirely to not pitch in when you can.
When things are busy, roll your sleeves up and help out. You’ll score points with the people who work for you by being willing to assist with the less pleasant parts of their job.