What are the signs of "toxic positivity" in team management?
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"Positivity" itself is great. But what I think makes it "toxic" is when leadership sweeps anything that might be perceived as "bad" under the rug. Good leaders gain even more trust from their teams when they can acknowledge the tough challenges, and even mistakes, and talk plainly about how they're working to solve the problem and get better.
In front of others showing concern but in 1-1 showing the real face. It invalidates human experience and can lead to trauma.
Toxic Positivity is another form of obsession, but this time it revolves around one's own way of thinking. It stems from the desire for everything and everyone to be positive all the time, dismissing any negativity or challenging emotions.
However, it's important to acknowledge that not every day can be blissful. There are nights when shadows of nightmares may cloud our thoughts, and this is a normal part of life.
This overemphasis on positivity can be observed in various settings such as offices, schools, and even among friends. Often, the person perpetuating it may not even realize it's a problem because they lack awareness and control over their behavior.
The best way to address this issue is by allowing individuals to grow and learn from life experiences. Through these experiences, they can gain a deeper understanding that life is not always rosy and that every tree does not bear roses.
When top management prioritizes harmony and avoid difficult conversation.
Reality has to be embraced instead of providing pretentious positivity. Both have to be communicated in a proper context. Positivity is when mistakes are made due to learning or growth. In a moment of high performance, the team leader has to convey the importance of staying focused and delivering quality results!