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Strategies to deal with a toxic work culture

BDJ In Practice volume 36, pages 19–21 (2023)Cite this article

Dr Amina Aitsi-Selmi once said 'people don't leave jobs. They leave toxic work cultures.' We can have bad Mondays, overwhelming weeks and challenging months. These might leave us feeling stressed and in a low mood. However, having this type of atmosphere and work conditions on repeat could be a sign of a toxic work culture. If we work in a practice with these traits, it can leave us feeling drained and resentful. This inevitably can lead us to go looking for another job. The toxic feelings and negativity can seep from our professional life into our personal life thereby affecting our outside work life. They dominate our conversations, cause sleepless nights and can lower our self-esteem.

Imagine you are speaking with someone and they are talking about someone else behind their back. How would you feel or think? You may feel uncomfortable (unless you too are a gossip) and you would think that if they talk about other people behind their back, would they do it behind mine? You know the answer to that… A gossip culture can produce a toxic and divisive atmosphere leading to arguments, feuds and cliques forming within the practice. Pay attention next time you hear someone gossiping. Awareness is key to you understanding the dynamics of your practice.

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  1. London, UK

    David Rahman (Mind Coach)

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  1. David Rahman
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Rahman, D. Strategies to deal with a toxic work culture. BDJ In Pract 36, 19–21 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-023-1908-y

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