Meet Dr. Carleta Alston
TOXIC LEADERS BE GONE!
It’s amazing to witness a leader who continually rants and raves about the office and puts everyone in the general vicinity on edge.
What’s even more amazing is the lack of selfawareness. This individual may not even realize the whirlwind that he is causing and the toxicity that he leaves in the wake
Employees cannot thrive in a toxic environment. The stress alone can cause negative health impacts. It is no wonder that when employees are led by individuals who lack leadership skills, they tend to call off work more frequently. They are sick on a regular basis. They have limited focus on getting the job done with preoccupations of anticipated rages by the leader. They even give up and find a new job just to have peace of mind.
Why is the leader toxic?
This is a difficult question to answer; however, one can make an educated guess as to the lack of leadership development.
Toxic leaders have key characteristics:
- Impatient
- Over-demanding Behavior
- Personal Insecurities/Inadequacies
- Deeply Rooted Psychological Issues
- Low Self-Esteem
TIPS FOR DIFUSING A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT
A leader can turn the situation around and promote positivity in the work environment.
- By showing employees that you can be patient with them, they will be less intimidated by your presence. By expressing clear expectations of the task and its deadline, the leader does not have to be overbearing with employees to get the desired outcomes
- By taking personal inventory, the leader can seek external counseling or therapy to work on areas that may impede progress with being an effective leader.
- By practicing positive thinking strategies, the leader can learn (over time) how to build back self-esteem.
A good leader makes every effort to eradicate toxicity in the work environment, to support the wellbeing of her employees, and to support the health of the organization.
