Is My Workplace Toxic?

One way to think about toxicity in the workplace is to determine if people have a sense of psychological safety. 

When psychological safety is lacking, people may experience stress, anxiety, and burnout. They may disengage from their work, withhold ideas and opinions, and avoid taking risks or trying new things. This can lead to a culture of fear and blame, where people are more focused on avoiding failure than on learning and growing.

 Here are some questions you can ask yourself to gauge your level of psychological safety: 

1. Do I feel comfortable expressing my ideas and opinions without fear of negative consequences?
2. Can I admit mistakes or ask for help without worrying about being judged or penalized?
3. Do I feel valued and respected by my colleagues and supervisors?
4. Is my team open to diverse perspectives and ideas, even when they differ from the majority?
5. Can I challenge the status quo or raise concerns about potential issues without fear of retribution?
6. Do I trust my colleagues to support me and have my back when needed?
7. Is my organization committed to learning and growth, even when it means acknowledging areas for improvement?
8. Do I feel psychologically and emotionally at ease in my work environment?

If you find yourself answering "no" to many of these questions, it may indicate a lack of psychological safety in your workplace.

Additionally, you can observe the following signs within your team or organization: 

1. Are people actively sharing ideas and opinions during meetings, or do they tend to remain silent?
2. Do team members openly admit mistakes and learn from them, or do they try to hide or blame others?
3. Is feedback given constructively and received openly, or is it met with defensiveness?
4. Do people help each other out and collaborate, or do they work in silos?
5. Is there a culture of transparency and open communication, or do people keep information to themselves?

By reflecting on these questions and observations, you can gain a better understanding of the level of psychological safety in your work environment. If you identify areas where psychological safety is lacking, it may be helpful to have open conversations with your colleagues and supervisors about how to create a more supportive and inclusive culture.