Telltale Signs of a Toxic Workplace

Telltale signs you’re in a toxic workplace or about to join one

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Telltale signs you're in a toxic workplace or about to join one

These signs can be present even in the interview stage. The conversations between peers, and in leadership or to you directly, can reveal toxicity in the workplace. Remember! Toxicity doesn’t decrease once you get to know people.

Undermining – When an idea is shared in a meeting by you or another employee and met with derision, sarcasm, passive aggressive arm wrestling, or straight-out deflection this is undermining. The effect can be momentary or lasting imposter syndrome, self- doubtful behavior, stagnancy or complacency for fear of retribution. If this is repeated or recurrent, and efforts are made to connect with leadership or management and unmet an employee may consider leaving asap.

No freedom of creative thought leadership in all levels of leadership, or the shut down of creativity innovation and excitement of ideas are the results of a toxic workplace. The reason is creativity and thought leadership are harvested, nourished, cultivated traits of an inclusive, diverse, and healthily competitive environment. This environment can challenge weak leaders and toxic cultures.

Topdown leadership– The theme “my way or the highway”, is super old-fashioned in my view. Though it’s a method of success from the past century that only seemed to work. Top down leadership does not allow for collaboration, partnership, equality, inclusivity, inquiry and the commitment to the cultivation of new leaders ideas.

People are running out the door like a fire drill– There could be several reasons for people running out the door. Contrary to popular belief this is actually not the absolute telltale of a toxic work culture, but likely will become one if it doesn’t change. Employees could leave because of disorganization, lack of compensation, insufficient strategic business advantage or other issues that don’t necessarily reveal the presence of toxicity. Eventually these other reasons could lead to shut down, or toxicity but don’t necessarily indicate absolute toxic work cultures.

Being in continual conversation with leadership allows you to gauge if the organization is moving in the direction of sustainable growth or insurmountable decline.

The question to ask before making any decision to join or remain is: Can you grow here (in compensation, mission or learning) at this organization, aligning with the present culture?

If you’re ready to strengthen your leadership and create meaningful growth, visit the Work With Me page or explore Client Testimonials to see how coaching has supported other leaders.

Sarah Khambatta is a certified leadership coach and member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), guiding leaders to build confidence, clarity, and long-term success.

Sarah Khambatta

Sarah is the Past President of the International Coach Federation, Los Angeles Chapter, and an ICF certified coach, with the designation of PCC (Professional Certified Coach). She is the founder of Dreams Transform Reality Coaching, a company committed to clients getting massive results by upleveling their behaviors and skills. As a Leadership coach, Sarah specializes in empowering leaders to influence, innovate, and collaborate utilizing their own authentic style. Her Leadership Training at Accomplishment Coaching and ORSC (Organizational Relationships Systems Coaching) and many other programs created a strong foundation. Sarah’s clients range from Executives and Managers to Creative Strategists at companies such as Google, Amazon, Instacart, Salesforce, Deutsch Los Angeles, PMK•BNC, Vladimir Jones, Venables Bell & Partners, Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, Astellas Pharma Cancer Research and Merck Animal Health.