How To Destroy A Great Employee
A friend of mine named David had just escaped from a full-time job in a very toxic environment where the best employees were quitting and the worst people were being promoted into management positions — above those more deserving.
Great and creative ideas were being shut down and pushed aside, while the butt-kissers with no action plans or goals were promoted.
The harder David worked, the worse he was treated.
David’s Last Straw
Finally, when a completely unqualified person got promoted over him, and to make matters worse — he was made David’s boss because that manager had a personal relationship with one of the VPs above.
Well that was the last straw; David resigned.
It was hard for him to leave the company he worked hard for, for nearly 20 years, but he felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders right after he quit — and left.
I recently read a story from Liz Ryan’s in Forbes, and it is so reminiscent of many people’s experiences in many organizations both large and small around the world.
Many very good employees, who come into organizations excited and with a inspired a sparkle in their eyes, ready to make a difference, get very uninspired and demotivated when they realize that their environment is toxic.
Never settle for any toxic, or fear-based organization
It’s not good for professional development, health, and energy; there are many options out there.
Take advantage of them because you deserve better, and you deserve to work in an environment that helps you become the very best version of yourself.
How to Build a Nurturing Environment
- Prioritise onboarding and training
- Help your employees find a comfortable work environment
- Conduct regular check-ins
- Encourage team collaboration and communication
- Develop a strong workplace culture
- Facilitate opportunities for learning
As a leader, you’ll already know that, for your team to perform effectively, and deliver the results you want, you need to create the right working environment for them.
As a leader, an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality won’t cut it. You must be prepared to invest in equipment to prevent injury as it will pay off in the long run.
Your team will appreciate your care and you won’t lose working days due to sickness.
Placing the comfort and safety of your team high on your agenda will develop engagement and enhance your reputation as an authentic leader who really cares.
On my next blog…I will translate this into our online businesses for those who do not have any employees — as our readers and followers share many attributes as well as the content we develop for them.
Stay tuned!
As always, your thoughts, questions and feedback is welcome!
Have a great and productive week!
-Mike
Recent Comments
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This story sounds similar to my friend, Crystal, who works in a toxic work environment at Boeing Corporation in Winnipeg, Canada. The employees and the managers are so toxic there—just a few years of working there. Crystal's red hair turned white quickly from all that stress on the floor. She had been there most of her adult life, divorced, and raised three children, and now she has two granddaughters. She and I have been best friends together since our college days.
To make matters worse, she is Deaf and depends on a translator to help with communication. So much drama in the workplace. Crystal is on light duty. She has had so many work injuries. The bosses don't care, they make people work, and many injuries, their Workman's comp is not the same as in the USA. She has about five more years left to retire.
Thanks for sharing the story. Many people still suffer in a horrible work environment and feel stuck there. They stay there for a long time like Crystal has done and still is working for Boeing. I would have left. No way that I could handle that kind of work environment. I count my blessings that my job was mainly in the nonprofit sector and self-employment in sales. I'm retired now. I felt terrible about what Crystal is going through. Her team leader treats her badly. I thought that violence in the workplace was zero tolerance, but they seem to promote it and allow employees to be abusive. How can they allow that? That is what I do not understand.
Hi Brenda…sorry to hear that your friend had to endure a similar situation as my friend.
Unfortunately way too many of us have had such demotivating situation’s to have had to go through.
I just don’t see these situations ending, and I think will drive people to want to be their own boss — which at the end of the day could be a good thing for us and the WA!
-Mike
I have seen this same scenario in the banking industry. Makes me ill when this happens. It actually causes a huge breakdown in employee Morale. I Hate for anyone to have to go thru this type of situation. It's a blow in the gut and takes some time for you to really recover and restore your self-confidence.
It sure is and unfortunately I too have experienced this bad type of environment several times during my long corporate career — and each time it was very deflating and it does is foster a very demoralizing and depressing experience for all.
-Mike
Mike, you have touched on a subject called "the great reset" where employees are saying enough is enough and move on. At some point, the most talented will either find a place that appreciates them or go into business for themselves.
You are so correct, leaders have to wake up and make changes before they lose their best employees.
I agree with you 1000% Hal — and I bet many of those who have said enough is enough joined WA to create something better for themselves… I know I did!
-Mike
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@MikeGhibaudi I think just about everyone has experienced this at some point in their careers. I have been passed over for the DM position so many times and got stuck with someone who knew a lot less than I did about the company or industry. I've recently been called "old school", which was their term for too old.
My DM lost all of my respect on Tuesday because he pulled his work computer out to show me something, and right there across the screen was this huge picture of a female with her butt facing the camera and a g-string on. All he said was "whoops"! Shortly after that fiasco, I had to follow him out to his car to get something for the store and he had brought me two little turkey breasts for my Thanksgiving. He gave them to me when he first came in. When he got in his trunk to get the shirts, there was a full size turkey in his trunk! He had given all the other GM's a full size turkey and I got the two little breasts for a family of 6. We'll eventually eat them and I do appreciate the gesture, but let's get real here!
My store always makes our numbers and a lot of weeks my store carries some of the others to get him his bonus.
I decided then, that I was looking for something else. On Thursday morning an acquaintance hit me up with a business venture that stands to make me a lot of money in a relatively short amount of time. God has a way of providing!
On the other hand, I have also dealt with people who thought they were qualified for a certain position, who weren't.
Sorry this is so long, but you struck a chord with me. This has been eating at me since it happened. You have very good and valid points!
Carry On!!!
Julie
What you went through with that boss could be considered sexual harassment Julie — and that behavior should not be tolerated.
I’m glad you were able to find a better opportunity!
-Mike