In this episode of Collaborwocky, Jim Benson, Thushyanthan A., and Mark Kilby delve into the complexities of toxic work environments caused by individuals. They explore two distinct patterns: self-hostility and self-overload.
Self-hostility manifests when you undermine your own opinions and efforts. Whether due to imposter syndrome or a desire to be polite, you inadvertently create reasons for others to discount your contributions. The result? A toxic environment where your value diminishes.
Self-overload occurs when you willingly take on excessive work. Driven by martyr syndrome or learned helplessness, you strive to prove your worth. But this can lead to burnout and an unbalanced workload.
- Empathy Trap: Being overly empathetic can trap you into overcommitting.
- Remote Challenges: Fully remote environments exacerbate self-overload and self-hostility.
- Baggage and Agency: Recognize and drop baggage—unhealthy patterns that hinder growth.
- Visualizing Work: A visual system helps regulate workload and prevent toxicity.
Remember, everyone battles these inner demons. By fostering empathy, setting boundaries, and visualizing work, we can create healthier workplaces. So drop the baggage, find your agency, and build a collaborative, supportive environment.
Stay tuned for more Collaborwocky insights! 🌟
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- Jim Benson: Founder of Modus Institute and co-author of Personal Kanban and the NEW Course, Toxic Waste.
- Tonianne DeMaria: Co-founder of Modus Institute, co-author of Personal Kanban, and an expert in the psychology and neuroscience behind work.
- Dave Prior: Certified Scrum Trainer and a faculty member at Modus Institute. His new course is Art of War for Collaboration.
- Mark Kilby: Co-author of the book, From Chaos to Successful Distributed Agile Teams, and a co-instructor for the new Successful Distributed Teams course on Modus Institute.
- Thushyanthan A.: An education industry professional and a Modus Institute faculty member with a love for documentation. His newest course is Collaborative Knowledge.
