Toxic-Positivity on the Workfloor:

How It Can Harm Employees and What You Can Do About It.

As a manager, you are always trying to find new ways of motivating your team to up productivity, and to obtain those goals and KPIs. Afterall, keeping the same management style should eventually become ineffective, right? So why not keep and maintain a positive management style, because positivity could never hurt anyone.

Well…although positivity is a good thing, like everything else, used in excess could have the opposite effect. Populair in many management courses, often under the name: Positive Leadership Styles, several traits are named like: Charismatic or Authentic, which, of course, sounds great if employees see you like that. However, if you do not understand the concept or you just follow the “rules” to become a positive leader, you might go overboard with the positivity to a point it can become toxic.

In recent years, there has been growing concern about the impact of toxic positivity on the workfloor. Toxic positivity is the tendency to encourage others to maintain a positive attitude, even in situations where it may not be appropriate or healthy to do so. Do not get me wrong, positivity can be a powerful tool in many settings, but it can also be used, willingly or unwillingly, as a way for managers to manipulate their employees and maintain control. In this article, we will explore what toxic positivity is, how it can harm your employees and business, and what you can do to recognise and combat its effects.

What Is Toxic-Positivity?

Toxic positivity is the belief that we should only focus on positive emotions and reject any negative emotions or experiences. It can manifest in many ways, from simply ignoring or dismissing negative feelings to actively encouraging others to "look on the bright side" or "stay positive" no matter what. While this approach may seem well-intentioned, it can actually be harmful, as it denies the reality of our experiences and can prevent us from processing our emotions in a healthy way.

How Managers Use Toxic-Positivity to Get the Feedback They Desire.

In the workplace, toxic positivity can be particularly damaging. Managers may use this approach to encourage their employees to focus on positive outcomes and ignore any negative feedback or concerns they may have. By promoting positivity above all else, managers can create a culture where employees feel they are not allowed to express negative emotions or criticize the company's practices. This can be especially harmful in situations where the company's practices may be unethical or harmful to its employees or customers.

How This Has a Negative Effect on Employees.

The impact of toxic positivity on employees can be significant. When employees are not allowed to express negative emotions or concerns, they may feel silenced or ignored. This can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and resentment, and can ultimately harm their mental health and well-being. In addition, toxic positivity can create a culture where employees feel pressured to conform to the company's expectations, even if they are not in their best interest. This can lead to a lack of innovation, creativity, and independent thinking, which can ultimately harm the company's bottom line.

Example:

A Sales manager asks a salesperson why the deal did not go through, to which he/she states:

“The prospect just wasn’t charmed by our software. The features were outdated and our competitors have a better price/quality ratio. We were just not good enough”

To which the Sales manager firmly replies: 

“In this company, you are not allowed to say that we are not good enough. We are good enough. Instead, you must say that we simply did not meet the demands of the prospect.”

The sales manager's initial thoughts were probably to motivate the salesperson and try to avoid the person expressing any negativity towards colleagues, thus demotivating the rest of the company. However, by dictating the way of speech and how to feel, most likely the salesperson feels unrepresented by his/her manager, thus avoiding to speak about the matter all together.

How to Recognize Toxic-Positivity Traits.

Recognizing toxic positivity can be challenging, as it can manifest in many different ways. However, there are some common signs to look out for. For example, if your manager or co-workers always seem to be promoting a positive attitude, even in situations where it may not be appropriate or healthy to do so, this could be a sign of toxic positivity. Similarly, if you feel pressured to ignore your own negative emotions or concerns in order to conform to the company's expectations, this could be a sign that toxic positivity is at play. Other traits could be:

• Managers foster a company culture where everyone must align with a prescribed positive narrative, e.g. “We are awesome, our products are amazing.”

• Employees are interrupted or corrected when they want to address problems or challenges.

• Employees do not give feedback nor speak up during meetings.

What You Can Do About It

If you suspect that toxic positivity is a problem in your workplace, there are some steps you can take to combat its effects. First, try to create a culture where employees feel safe expressing their negative emotions and concerns. Encourage open communication and provide support and resources for employees who may be struggling. Second, be mindful of your own attitudes and behaviors. Avoid promoting positivity at all costs and instead encourage a healthy balance of both positive and negative emotions. Finally, speak up if you notice toxic positivity in your workplace or adjust your management style if you recognise some traits in your own way of managing. Raise your concerns with your manager or HR representative and work to create a more balanced and healthy work environment for everyone. As always, communication is key.

In conclusion, toxic positivity can have a significant impact on the workfloor, and it's important to recognize and combat its effects. By promoting a culture of open communication, mindfulness, and balance, you can create a space where employees feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute authentically, ultimately fostering a healthier and more productive workplace for all. This will lead to better results, more goals being achieved and, most importantly, happy employees that stay.

Good luck.