Abuse in the Workplace

Last week I wrote a blog post at the circle.org about “Dealing with a Toxic Boss.” I provided some tips on ways you can deal with a toxic boss to help make your work environment more tolerable. There is no excuse for any type of abusive behavior in the workplace but unfortunately in today’s economy more people are stressed out trying to do their job with fewer resources and are taking it on others. Whether its bosses or employees people are turning to alternative means to get things done and they are hurting each other in the process.

As someone who has experienced a toxic boss myself, its heartbreaking listening to stories about the misery people are enduring due to their hostile work environments. This type of behavior has taken over some people’s lives and they fear going into work every day. Their boss’s mood determines their mood and they feel like they have to walk on pins and needles throughout the day. Absolutely by no means should anyone feel this way-at work or at home. Unfortunately this type of behavior has become the norm in some workplaces and is now considered “acceptable” behavior.

Although, I have listed some tips on the circle.org blog on how to deal with a toxic boss I thought it was important to point out the psychology behind a toxic boss. According to Newsweek “The Making of a Toxic Boss” they state: “Again they found that it’s the interaction of power and inadequacy that engenders abuse. Fast and Chen believe that this dynamic reinforces itself in the workplace, because people who gain power pressure themselves to perform at a higher level, and thus are more apt to feel inadequate in their powerful role. This threatens their ego, and they become defensive. Defensiveness often comes out in the form of insults or worse.

So what can you do about your toxic boss? According to Newsweek a “shot of self-worth” goes a long way in decreasing this toxic behavior. They go on to say that just a little praise was enough to reduce aggressive tendencies. In other words flatter your boss. However, too much flattery can be detrimental forcing your boss to lose touch with reality so know the right amount of flattery that will work on your boos and you may notice a much more pleasant work environment.