No-one should fear going to work
Somebody asked me last week why I dedicated my book to people that have been adversely affected by their working conditions and my answer was short ‘because no-one should face the fear of going to work.’
Imagine a workplace where you feel safe, respected, and able to be your best self. Where people are polite, take an interest in you and talk to you in a way that you’d like to be spoken to. Most people reading this blog have to work in order to live and if we could choose our conditions, we’d be happy with these basic human interactions.
Sadly, for many, this isn't the reality, including you as you read this now. Data suggests one in four people dreads going to work, and far too many face environments that cause significant stress and anxiety.
At its worst, fear is a hallmark of a toxic culture. These cultures can lead to profound emotional and physical pain, contributing to stress, anxiety, depression, and tragically, even suicide. This shouldn't be the case. Work is where we spend a significant portion of our lives, and everyone deserves a respectful place to earn a living.
The good news is that toxic culture is not necessarily inevitable. These environments are not simply a matter of bad luck; they are often the result of a lack of understanding, insufficient investment in culture, and poor leadership. Ignoring the signs of toxicity will not make them disappear.
Workplaces should actively build psychological safety, creating conditions where people feel safe to contribute, challenge ideas, and speak up without fear of negative repercussions. Building relationships based on trust and fostering a sense of belonging are crucial elements.
Creating a workplace free from fear requires a conscious effort, after all, you get the culture that you choose to build. It means leaders must role model positive behaviours, address poor conduct swiftly, and prioritize the well-being of their employees. Organisations that invest time, thought, and money into deliberately building and evolving their culture are not only reducing the risk of toxicity but also creating environments where people feel cared for and can thrive.
This is the least you can do for the humans that work for you.
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Don’t let the conditions for toxicity take root in your organisation. Find out how to manage the risk of it occurring in my new best-selling book ‘Detox Your Culture’. Get it here or wherever you buy your books.
