What is a toxic boss like and how to recognize it? There are bad bosses who treat their employees badly, there are them everywhere, but how to deal with them and overcome them?
Some years ago, the authoritarian and somewhat despotic boss was quite common within companies. Fortunately, the relationship between the manager and the workers has changed for the better, observing a type of transversal hierarchy that has little to do with the previous command.
Even so, there are still bosses or toxic people in the company that at a psychological level can reduce our health, mind and productivity in the organization.
What is a toxic boss?
A toxic type of boss is usually one who shows psychopathic and narcissistic traits, with total impunity over others and considers himself a person above good and evil. They tend to be despots, they do not care about the values of their workers, only the results and they maintain control of the employee in various ways.
Within the heads of this type we find several categories. From the climbers, who benefit from the efforts of others; the arrogant one who usually commands without stopping; and even the insecure who hides behind figures of third parties?
Real health risks
People who are continually subjected to the toxic boss can end up with some serious health disorders, especially mental ones. A recent study showed that people who worked for these types of bosses had lower job satisfaction and a higher score on a clinical measure of depression.
The study also found that certain daily situations affected the well-being of employees, and there were more incidents of counterproductive behavior at work and workplace harassment.
Toxic work environment
Despotic bosses create a bad work environment. Criticism and stress end up being the dominant tonic within the company and this damages relations between workers. Fear, nervousness, and continuous irritability are signs of the environment that is diminished by the figure of a boss who does not know how to command.
Dissatisfied employees
As a result of all this, a spiral is created that does not end. The workers are not motivated with their daily tasks, they do not want to go to work, they are not comfortable in the company and they are looking for new jobs.
Low productivity
In addition to the psychological damage that may take time to resolve, the toxic boss leads to reduced productivity. This usually has negative consequences for the company that sees its sales and money coming down.
Stress and sick leave
The figure of this type of boss can manipulate the most vulnerable people in your company. This generates situations of stress and anxiety, with continuous episodes of depression and lack of self-esteem that force them to take time off work. Psychological help will be essential in these cases to move on, look for a new job and face new working lives.
How to survive the despot boss?
Not all the people we meet in a company are the same. When the toxic boss cannot change and there is no choice but to keep his job, one option is to share space with him without affecting us personally. Although it is difficult, there are various actions that can be taken to deal with toxic bosses.
Not face him
Some people have dislikes because they try to change the toxic boss. That is something impossible, so, as far as possible, you must respond positively, heed and respond affirmatively to their claims. And go unnoticed in violent situations.
Keep distances
Faced with a person of such characteristics, it is better to be away. You should always try to understand him from a distance, and fulfill your daily work in the best way and within reasonable parameters.
Disconnect
Obviously not in the workplace, although you can always try so that the “bad vibes” at work does not affect us. And once out of work, it is better to enjoy and disconnect completely. Exercising, moving around, eating healthy, being around friends, and doing a hobby all help with stress.
