Signs of a Toxic Boss You Should Never Miss Out On

In a world where the culture of hustling and success is widely spoken about, it is a struggle to keep up and look for a better opportunity at every moment. Where the Karnataka government proposed to raise working hours to 14 hours, there are countries like New Zealand that provide a three-day weekend. The need to start earning and be independent is also emphasized constantly. Hence, there is a point where all of us might be hunting for a job and working under a boss. And the reputation of bosses has not been great so far.

But How Many Even Have a Boss?

5.4 million Indians are currently working in the IT sector. Having a boss not just pertains to the IT sector but also hierarchal institutions like the educational sector (9.5 million teachers), the construction sector (71 million workers), and many such areas have the concept of boss in disguise of supervisors, managers, and heads. Hence, the concept of having a boss is universal and to define it- an individual who takes charge of a group, organization, or individual. 

Read More: How to Handle Work Stress and Avoid Leaving Your Job?

What is a Healthy Boss?

Divya is working at an MNC. It has been six years now, and she does not wish to leave the company anytime soon. Her boss, Shankar, is whom she looks up to. Since she has joined, he made her feel welcome, created a positive work environment where there was open communication, and regular feedback, has acknowledged her work and given promotions whenever needed, was transparent with all the decisions made, supported her when she could not resolve an issue in payroll, is fair to all the employees, including Divya and has strong work ethic. This is what a healthy boss would sound like. It is not just about Divya’s satisfaction level but there is a professional relationship, where she has seen herself grow and associates with the company. 

What is a Toxic Boss?

Exactly the opposite!  A toxic boss creates a negative work environment, and there are signs of the same. An increased turnover rate, decreased morale in the office, reduced productivity, and a constantly stressful environment are all examples of it. Hence, to understand better here are the signs of an extremely toxic boss with real-life examples:

1. Lack of communication

They fail to communicate effectively, leading to a lack of understanding of goals, expectations, and feedback and low involvement with the organization due to authoritative decision-making. 

Example: Uber’s ex-CEO, Travis Kalanick was criticized for poor internal communication and extremely toxic environment. Unethical behaviour like harassment, discrimination, and bullying was tolerated even though it was reported to authorities repeatedly. 

2. Micromanagement

As a boss, it is important to give your employees some autonomy, but toxic bosses do the opposite. They wish to control everything; from the timings to the kind of work according to how they feel. 

Example: Elon Musk’s employees have reported how his “hands-on” approach has often led to problems since it causes stress and limits their ability to work independently.

3. Lack of empathy

Toxic bosses are indifferent to employees’ personal or professional challenges. They show little to no understanding or support for their well-being.

Example: Steve Jobs was often criticized for lacking empathy. Due to his perfectionism, he used to be very harsh with his employees, causing stress amongst them.

4. Blame shifting

They refuse to take responsibility for making mistakes, and blame others. Fear and defensiveness are common elements. 

Example: Adam Neumann, the former CEO of WeWork, was notorious for refusing to take responsibility for the company’s financial mismanagement. Instead, he would often deflect blame onto other executives or employees

5. Lack of recognition

They fail to recognize the efforts of their employees and often disregard their achievements and hard work. This leaves employees demotivated and undervalued.

Example: Alongside unsafe working conditions, Amazon and Jeff Bezos have come under criticism for not providing their employees with recognition for their hard work.

6. Unrealistic expectations and poor leadership

Unreasonable deadlines, excess workload, lack of support, and unprofessional behaviour, such as lying, cheating, or cutting corners are all unhealthy for the office environment. 

Example: Fox News under former CEO Roger Ailes was notorious for a toxic culture. From demanding see-through desks so that audience could see women anchors’ legs, to being accused of sexual harassment, there have been multiple investigations against him. Going back to Uber’s ex-CEO, he as well has been accused of fighting with his employees and setting unrealistic goals for its drivers with excessively long working hours. 

Hence, many other factors like inflexibility, inconsistent and unfair treatment, intimidation and fear tactics, neglecting employee development, lack of accountability and constant criticism, and emotional instability; are some other signs that a toxic boss displays. 

Read More: How to Prioritize Things Without Messing Your Work-life Balance, According to Psychologists

What are the Consequences?

Working for a toxic boss can have fatal effects. Workers may become more stressed, anxious, or burned out, which would lower their output and level of job satisfaction. High employee churn rates are typical, as workers depart to get away from unfavorable work environments. Workflows can be disrupted, and team cohesion damaged by this volatility.

The company can have a tarnished reputation, which would make it challenging to draw in and keep personnel. A boss’s encouragement of unethical activity might result in financial losses and legal problems. A toxic boss has the power to weaken business culture over time, inhibiting growth and innovation and ultimately jeopardizing the success of the organization.

In conclusion, it is impossible to overstate the influence a manager has on a worker’s experience at work. A toxic boss can create a negative work atmosphere that impacts not only the well-being of employees but also the organization’s overall success. In contrast, a healthy boss can encourage, inspire, and foster progress. The motivation for continuous improvement and autonomy may come from the hustle and success culture, but it’s critical to acknowledge the value of a supportive work environment. To achieve both emotional and professional fulfilment, workers must be alert in spotting toxic behaviours and actively seek out work situations where they are respected, supported, and valued.

Read More: Workplace Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility: Prerequisites for Sustainable Organisational Success