5 Ways to Identify and Avoid Toxic Positivity
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
Positive energy.
1. Remind people of your mission and why it is important.
2. Remove obstacles that hold people back and drain energy.
How is toxic positivity damaging to teams?
1. Happy talk provides a false narrative that everything is great.
2. Toxic positivity demotivates people to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
Thanks for sharing your insights, Paul. Your #2 on the toxic positivity list really speaks to me.
Recognizing challenges is essential along with reassurance that help is available when needed and that skills are learned by practice rather than “just” speaking. I believe that we can be positive along with being realistic and that positive energy motivates leaders as well as followers to get up and get going.
Thanks for jumping in today, Pauline. You remind me of the challenge-support dynamic. Some leaders are great at challenging people. Some are great at supporting people. Both are essential.
Toxic Positivity also sets others up for ‘failure’. All is well and good on the well and good team. People move ahead blindly with a inaccurate perception of ‘good’. Once a realist shows up and begins to notice that all is not so good…that is not good!
Thanks, wploskon. Your insight feels powerful to me. I completely missed this idea. Don’t let people rush into failure. Speak hard truths before it’s too late.
I was curious about what you meant about toxic positivity. I never heard the term before. I read your five points and you’re right on!
Thanks L. The term isn’t original with me, but I don’t know who originally cointed it either. It’s a pleasure to bring something useful.
I work with my teams to remain positive and productive. Here’s my issue: I have approached the CEO with realistic solutions to move the company in a more positive direction financially. What can you do though, after continual effort, where your well-presented ideas are overtaken by the bobble heads who never present an individual thought, and do nothing more than post an inspirational meme on a group thread? As a strong self-motivator and leader, I am, for the first time, finding myself running out of steam.
Great question, Patty. Let me mull this over.
I appreciate the reminder to balance positivity with authenticity and addressing real issues.
Leaders can start by fostering a culture where genuine appreciation and recognition are given for both successes and efforts. Encouraging open communication and providing a safe space for feedback are also crucial in preventing toxic positivity from taking root.