As an executive leadership coach, I’ve worked with numerous leaders who have struggled with the detrimental effects of toxic employees within their organizations. Toxic employees can have a significant negative impact on team morale, productivity, and overall company culture. It’s essential for leaders to identify these individuals early on and take appropriate action to mitigate their influence.
In my experience, there are six key signs that indicate you may have a toxic employee working for you. Let’s explore each of these red flags and what they mean for your team and organization.
Consistent Negativity: Toxic employees often exhibit a consistently negative attitude. They complain frequently, criticize others, and rarely offer constructive solutions. As a coach, I recommend addressing this behavior promptly and encouraging a more positive, solution-oriented mindset.
Lack of Accountability: Toxic employees tend to avoid taking responsibility for their actions and decisions. They often blame others for their mistakes and rarely admit to their own shortcomings. To foster a culture of accountability, I suggest setting clear expectations and holding all team members responsible for their performance.
Gossip and Rumor-Mongering: Toxic employees often engage in gossip and spread rumors, which can erode trust and create a hostile work environment. As a leader, it’s crucial to address this behavior swiftly and promote open, honest communication within your team.
Resistance to Change: Toxic employees may resist change and actively undermine new initiatives. They often cling to the status quo and discourage others from embracing new ideas. As a coach, I advise leaders to communicate the benefits of change clearly and involve team members in the change process to build buy-in.
Disregard for Company Values: Toxic employees often disregard company values and fail to align their behavior with the organization’s mission and goals. This can lead to a disconnect between the employee and the rest of the team. To address this, I recommend reinforcing company values consistently and modeling them as a leader.
Manipulation and Undermining: Toxic employees may attempt to manipulate others and undermine their colleagues to advance their own interests. They often create division within teams and sabotage the success of others. As a leader, it’s essential to identify this behavior early on and take appropriate action, such as coaching, reassignment, or, in severe cases, termination.
While dealing with toxic employees can be challenging, it’s crucial for leaders to address these issues head-on. By identifying the signs of a toxic employee early on and taking appropriate action, you can prevent their negative influence from spreading and maintain a positive, productive work environment.
Lead From Within: Transform challenges into triumphs by addressing toxicity and nurturing a culture of excellence
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- The Smart Way to Handle Toxic People
- 7 Brilliant Ways to Handle Toxic People at Work
- How to Recognize And Weed Out Toxic Leaders
- 6 Toxic Beliefs That Will Ruin Your Leadership
- How to Be Successful in a Toxic Culture
- The Best Survival Guide for A Toxic Workplace
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.