Negativity pervades work. People show up tired. Co-workers feel like sandpaper. The kettle on the stove is always whistling. When work is a positive experience, someone labored to make it happen. But toxic positivity corrodes organizations.
Positive experiences:
Everyone nods when asked about the value of positive experiences at work. But shoulders droop when you ask what people do to energize teams. Who has time?
- Affirm behaviors that prevent problems. Don’t wait for problems. Solve them before they happen. Identify behaviors that lead to success and cheer when you see them.
- Look at people like you like them. You probably need to smile more.
- Remember leading is a privilege. You get to serve many.
- Know and honor the personal goals of people on your team.
- Aim high. Mediocrity is depressing. Join hands and climb high.
Positive energy turns negative when neglected. Make positive experiences a daily practice, but toxic positivity is destructive.
Toxic positivity:
You know positivity has gone too far when…
- Too much happy talk makes us frauds. Are you pretending to be happy? A little pretending can prime the pump. Constant pretending means you’re fake.
- Tough conversations are neglected. Everything isn’t great. It never is.
- Relationships are shallow. Ask soldiers who fought in battle if painful experiences establish enduring relationships.
- Everyone goes along to get along.
- People brush off corrective feedback.
Conclusion:
Producing results isn’t enough. People go dark when you neglect positive energy. Results decline. But reject toxic positivity.
What can leaders do today to build positive energy?
How is toxic positivity damaging to teams?
Still curious:
The Deadly Habits of Highly Toxic Leaders
The Surprising Source of Unintended Toxicity
8 Traits of Toxic Leadership to Avoid | Psychology Today
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This post was previously published on LEADERSHIPFREAK.BLOG and is republished with Creative Commons license.
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