How To Deal With Toxic People At Work? 7 Proven Tips For Managers

Hey there, managers! Let’s dive into a topic that hits home – workplace toxicity. A recent Fortune poll unveiled that 64% of folks have waded through a toxic work environment, and a significant 44% pointed fingers at leadership. Interesting, right?
Now, what’s this toxicity everyone’s talking about? According to the poll, a toxic workplace leads to a culture where 55% saw it as disrespectful, 34% as downright abusive, 30% as non-inclusive, and 29% as unethical. Quite a cocktail, huh? Here’s a kicker – it seems our female colleagues are more likely to encounter and report these toxic vibes compared to our male and non-binary people.
We all know a healthy work environment is the secret sauce for productivity and growth. Toxic folks can sneak into your team. As a manager, you might do your best during hiring, but spotting those toxic traits isn’t always a cakewalk.
So, in today’s blog, we’re breaking down what workplace toxicity is, how you, as a manager, can spot these vibe-killers early on, and, of course, dishing out some tips to keep that negativity far away from your excellent team. Ready to kick those toxic vibes to the curb? Let’s roll!

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How To Deal With Toxic People At Work? 7 Proven Tips For Managers
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How to spot toxic people at work?

Imagine your team is like a well-functioning machine, with everyone contributing their part. But there is a toxic colleague, Alex. He has this habit of always taking credit for others’ work, leaving the real contributors feeling unappreciated.
It’s like having a teammate who waters the plant but lets someone else take credit for the blossoming flowers. This kind of toxicity, if left unchecked, can spread. Others might start feeling demotivated. As a manager, it’s your role to spot these toxic behaviors. Let’s say you notice Alex’s credit-stealing antics. Instead of brushing it aside, you should address it. Bring the team together, acknowledge everyone’s contributions, and clarify that credit should go where it’s due. The result? The team regains its positive energy. People feel valued, and the toxic behavior is nipped in the bud. It’s like pulling out the weed before it takes over the garden. But how can you identify these toxic people around them? Here are some toxic traits, or we can say warning signs, that can help you spot them out:

These toxic people always need to be right
They are always offended
They are always accusing others of being wrong
These toxic people are constantly pushing their opinions on you
They are always trying to control the conversation
Toxic people always look for ways to get ahead or take advantage of you
They have a habit of blowing things out of proportion
Being a manipulator is also a sign of a toxic person

Read more about the types of toxic people and spotting them here: Spotting 5 Types of Toxic Co-workers to Take Care Of

4 Things Managers should keep in Mind when Dealing with Toxic People

Alright, managers, now that we’ve unmasked the workplace toxicity villains, let’s discuss the game plan for dealing with them.

Stay Professional

You need to put their best foot forward as a manager. And handle things without judgments and biases. You should only look at facts and have a discussion based on that. This approach ensures you can quickly solve the situation without hampering the productivity and positivity of the workplace.

Document every detail

You should keep a detailed record of every situation with examples and proofs. Later, if a more significant problem arises and the manager needs to take action against the toxic people at work, you will have a detailed document outlining every situation and the solution so that employees can’t blame the manager or team members.

Lead by Example

You should model behavior by keeping a positive attitude and should treat every team member with utmost respect. This behavior will help bring a change in the culture. It will increase workplace positivity and reduce the influence of toxic people.

Culture of Open Communication

Managers should practice a culture of open communication in their teams. This helps team members open up about their issues and challenges at work and allows them to fix them by communicating. Open communication also improves team camaraderie and reduces misunderstanding. By keeping these four points in mind, you can simplify conversations with toxic people. Let’s check out some tips to protect your mental peace from toxic people.

7 Tips to Protect Yourself from Toxic Coworkers

Don’t try to please them

As a manager, it can be a hard time dealing with toxic people, and it can be hard not to get pulled into their drama and compromise your values. However, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to try to please them. Trying to do that can significantly drain your energy and morale. Instead, you should stick to what you feel is correct, and you should only push your boundaries to please others.

Speak up if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe around someone

As a manager, you must protect your team and yourself. If you feel uncomfortable or unsafe around someone, you must speak up. Doing so can help ensure that the group remains safe and healthy and that your concerns are considered. In some cases, speaking up may be the best way to protect yourself from harmful or damaging behavior. Above all, be confident in your decision to speak up, and remember that you are not alone in this process.

Don’t get sucked into the toxicity

As a manager, it is essential to be aware of the signs that someone is behaving in a toxic way and avoid getting pulled into their toxicity. Toxic people have a way of sucking other people into their toxicity. Either by manipulation or by confrontation. Toxic people are often very good at hiding their negative emotions and behaviors, making it harder to see what is happening. Once you become aware of the signs and start to counteract them, you will be on your way to a safe distance from toxicity.

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Set boundaries with Toxic People at work

Toxic people tend to spread negativity and stress everywhere they go. They can be tough to deal with, as they tend to push everyone around them away. If you find yourself surrounded by toxic people, it’s essential that you take a step back and set boundaries. Ensure you keep your distance and set clear expectations with these people. Be firm but polite, and don’t let them control your emotions. Doing this can protect you from being emotionally drained and stressed out and maintain your sanity in a difficult situation. These boundaries will also help you maintain healthy relationships.

Keep hold of your emotions

When dealing with toxic people, keeping hold of your emotions is essential. Stay focused and determined, and don’t get swayed by their words or actions. Toxic people usually have a hidden agenda, which aims to achieve their own selfish goals. Please don’t fall for their tricks, and stay strong and confident no matter what. With some self-confidence and wisdom, you can successfully deal with toxic people and protect yourself from their negative energy. It will also be good for your mental health if you have been affected by the toxic behavior around you.

Keep a positive attitude, even when things are tough

When things are tough at work, it’s tempting to give in to the negative vibes and pull all-nighters to make up for a lost time. But if you want to be a successful manager, you need to be able to keep a positive attitude even when things get tough. Toxic people can be pretty draining, and it can be hard to keep your head when all you want to do is crawl into a hole and hide. But remember: despite the challenges, there are still opportunities to overcome these challenges and thrive. With a positive attitude and a constructive approach, you can manage these toxic people effectively and avoid any damage they may be doing to your career. This positivity will also help you maintain healthy relationships and will help you come out as a good person. Remember to keep balance, as on the other side, toxic positivity can hurt teams too!

Be aware of your own behavior and how it impacts others

A significant part of dealing with toxic or complicated people is avoiding developing their traits. Being too much around toxic people in the workplace can create some chances of developing toxicity in managers. It can ultimately take things to an opposing end and may make managers harmful. To avoid that, you need to be aware of their own behavior and how it impacts others. They should avoid any toxic behaviors as they may create an unhealthy relationship between them and their team members. They should completely stay away from traits like arrogance, anger, cruelty, insult, etc., and should develop qualities like empathy and compassion.

Conclusion

To conclude, if you as a manager consistently encounter toxicity in your workplace, it is high time you spot those toxic people and start dealing with them effectively. You can use the traits mentioned above to spot those toxic people at work. Once done, you can start avoiding them or dealing with them effectively using the tips mentioned above. So, stay away from toxic people and keep managing your team and business effectively as managers.

Overcoming toxicity might be tricky, but assertive communication can help you succeed.

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FAQs

How to identify a toxic person at work?

A toxic person drains your energy at work. Typically, they would be seen as overconfident know-it-alls in the workplace who are always prepared to diminish and pull down others. They are uncooperative and engage in harmful practices like office politics which hurt the team.

How does others’ toxic behavior impact your efficiency?

Toxic behavior, even when not explicitly targeted toward you, creates a harmful environment for the entire team. It creates an unhelpful atmosphere where employees are not motivated to show up and give their best daily. Interpersonal relationships break, and trust is minimal too.

How do you prove you have a toxic boss?

Note the signs of toxicity in your supervisor and collect evidence to demonstrate the same. Typically, the common signs of a toxic manager include micromanagement, lack of trust, setting unreasonable expectations, stealing the limelight and credit for work done by the team, etc.

How to protect yourself from toxic coworkers?

To protect yourself from toxic coworkers, establish boundaries, limit interactions, and stay focused on your work. Seek support from colleagues and supervisors, document inappropriate behavior, and maintain a positive attitude. Consider discussing concerns with HR if necessary, and prioritize your well-being above all.

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Developing Self-Control As A Manager: 8 Inspirational Lessons

Self-control is an essential attribute for any manager. It can help you stay calm under pressure, focus on your goals, and handle challenging situations effectively. However, it’s easy to lose self-control in the workplace. It is because the demands of the job can be relentless, and the stress of the situation can be overwhelming. In this article, we offer eight ways managers can develop self-control at work. Hopefully, by following these tips, you’ll be able to maintain composure in difficult situations and keep your team on track. Let’s get started with understanding what precisely self-control is and what are the benefits of having it.

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Developing Self-Control As A Manager: 8 Inspirational Lessons
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What is self-control?

Self-control is a psychological ability that enables individuals to resist impulses and temptations and control their emotions. It is the ability to delay gratification, resist temptation, and resist impulsive behavior. Basically, it is the ability to maintain composure in difficult situations. It also involves having a significant emotional intelligence that doesn’t allow unnecessary negative emotions to come out while at work. Good control in the workplace over self will enable a person to make rational decisions rather than being driven by emotions or personal biases. In the workplace, self-control is essential for both managers and employees. Managers need to be able to impose limits on themselves to stay focused and achieve goals, while employees need to be able to resist temptation and follow instructions. When both parties exhibit self-control, it leads to efficient workmanship, a positive work environment, and career success.

Where do managers need self-control in the workplace?

The opportunities to show some control over oneself can be many at work. A few of them can be:

Dealing with difficult employees or conflicts between team members.
Managing a high-stress project with tight deadlines.
Responding to unexpected or negative feedback from superiors or clients.
Handling a crisis situation, such as a data breach or workplace accident.
Making tough decisions that may have negative consequences for some employees.
Dealing with a team member who consistently underperforms or has a negative attitude.

The benefits of managers having self-control in the workplace

Managers with self-control can maintain their composure under pressure, stay levelheaded when making decisions, and be more effective leaders overall. Here are some specific benefits that managers with self-control bring to the workplace:

They create a calm and productive work environment: When things get hectic at work, a manager with self-control can remain calm and help others do the same. It creates a more effective and positive work environment and reduces the risk of burnout.
They make better decisions: Managers who can control their emotions can make better decisions, as personal feelings or biases do not sway them.
They are better at handling difficult conversations: When difficult conversations arise, managers with self-control can stay calm and productively handle the situation.
They set an excellent example for others: When employees see an example of a manager with who can control themselves, they are more likely to model the same behaviors themselves.
They build strong relationships: Leaders who promote self-control can build strong relationships with their employees. Instead of negatively reacting to employee issues, their self-control pushes them to show empathy and compassion, which leads to trust and mutual respect.

But how does one develop self-control in the workplace? Let’s go through some practical tips in our next section.

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How to develop self-control at work?

Here are eight tips on how you can develop self-control in the workplace. Both managers and their teammates can use these tips.

1. Know your triggers

The first step you need to take to develop self-control in the workplace is knowing your triggers. Understanding what sets you off and why can cultivate a better relationship with yourself and develop more control over yourself. To identify these triggers, it’s essential to be honest about what frustrates or annoys you to address the problem head-on. Doing this will help you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions at any moment. Once you identify your triggers, make a plan to avoid them or constructively deal with them. And most importantly, remain consistent with your plan.

2. Avoid situations that are likely to lead to temptation

To develop self-control, you must avoid situations that lead to temptation. It means making a conscious effort to steer clear of places, people, or activities that might trigger an undesirable reaction in you at work. It can be helpful to have a plan of action when you find yourself in a tempting situation. This plan might involve leaving the problem entirely, distracting yourself with something else, or talking to someone who can help you resist the temptation. Having a plan ahead of time can make it easier to stick to your goals and avoid succumbing to temptation or any undesirable action.

3. Distract yourself from thoughts of temptation

It’s easy to get swept up in thoughts of temptation while working when you have low control over yourself in the workplace. By practicing self-regulation and distracting yourself from these thoughts, you can maintain your focus and stay on task. Some practical ways to develop this distraction involve taking short breaks, focusing on something else, turning off your phone or computer, and cultivating strong willpower. By practicing to self-control at work, you will not only stay productive with consistent job performance but also avoid succumbing to temptations that could ultimately derail your career.

4. Practice delayed gratification

By delaying gratification, you can learn to control your impulses and emotions at work, which will improve your productivity and overall work ethic. In the long run, this will also help you build better self-esteem and resilience when facing challenging situations. To do that, you need to practice patience and restraint, which will take some effort but can be achieved with practice. Start by setting modest goals for yourself and gradually working towards them over time. Once you have mastered this skill, you will be more prepared to resist temptation in the future when it comes to working. Start practicing delayed gratification today by keeping a few goals that are important to you in check, and see how you do!

5. Develop a support system

A supportive network can go a long way in ensuring that you don’t succumb to the temptation of poor work habits or lifestyle choices. It will be a great help in being accountable to your objective. By surrounding yourself with people who understand and support your goals, you will stay disciplined and motivated even when things get tough. Creating a supportive network will help you connect with like-minded professionals and build valuable workplace relationships.

6. Be patient with yourself

Another highly effective way of developing self-control while at work is being patient with yourself. It means setting realistic goals and not expecting too much from yourself too soon. Start slow and build up your endurance over time by consistently following through with your goals and commitments. To develop this patience, you need to be confident in your abilities and know that you can handle whatever comes your way. Remember, developing control over yourself takes time and effort, so don’t expect overnight results. Developing this patience will also allow you to practice and maintain self-discipline.

7. Don’t compare yourself to others

One of the biggest pitfalls when it comes to self-control is comparing ourselves to others. It often leads us into situations where we give in to temptation. This is because we feel we should be doing better than everyone else. Remember, there is no “perfect” work ethic or lifestyle. What matters most is how well you stick with your goals and priorities in the face of temptation. Compare yourself to where you were last year, not to someone else who may be doing better than you currently are.

8. Persevere through setbacks

It can be tough to regulate your emotions when working under pressure and trying to meet deadlines, but it’s worth it. To do it, you need to have strong self-confidence and be willing to stick with your goals even when things don’t go as planned. Remember that setbacks are part of the process, and keep moving towards your goal. When things don’t go as planned, remember that it’s not the end of the world. Plenty of other opportunities are waiting for you. Be patient and stick to your plan, and you will eventually be able to develop higher levels of self-control.

Conclusion

In conclusion, to have a successful workplace, managers need to have self-control. It is the ability to delay gratification and resist temptations. It’s also about staying in control of one’s emotions and not being controlled by them. Managing oneself effectively in the workplace is key to maintaining productivity, minimizing conflict, and leading a successful team. So, if you are a manager, follow the eight tips mentioned above and develop the self-control you need to become an effective leader.

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Why is self-control important for managers?

self-control is important for managers to ensure that they do not act impulsively or emotionally. It saves them from taking rapid decisions without giving them its due share of consideration. As a result, they are able to focus on the important matters in any situation and do not get deviated by short-term instances.

What are the benefits of self-control?

Self-control helps managers act better. It helps them make thoughtful decisions and choose the right course of action for their team as well. Self-control reduces conflict and stress as well because well-thought actions are more likely to create a better impact.

What is the main idea of self-control?

The main idea of self-control lies in maintaining composure and tolerance in the face of unanticipated events. A manager should keep their emotional reaction in check and instead act rationally to deliver the best for the team. Self-control helps managers control and calculate their response to their environment.

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