This week I experienced somewhat of an epiphany (which, contrary to expectations is not the name of the singer who sang “I think we’re alone now” in 1987). This morning, I looked over my “to do” list and realised I’d managed to accomplish… *drum roll* next to nothing on there. Aaaargh!!!
Now, just before you assume I’ve simply spent the week lounging in bed, watching “Murder She Wrote” re-runs or playing Candy Crush, I haven’t. I’ve been working like a little Trojan. So what’s happened?
I’ve received a few inbox messages over on Facebook that meander into the topic of toxic bosses. So it’s probably quite a good time to make a post on the subject. I hope it helps!
Obviously, this isn’t a post about asbestos-ridden or uranium-drenched managers. So, what do we mean by toxic boss?
Toxic Leadership is probably more easily described than defined. Corporate Management Analyst Gillian Flynn did quite a good job of it in 1994; describing a toxic manager as the:
Today’s post comes with an additional bonus… a guest writer! Jack (not his real name – he’s a shy old sort) is an ex-military officer and experienced Leader. He’s also passionate about mindfulness and the benefits the approach has within the workplace. That’s why I’m tremendously grateful that he’s sharing a key part of his Survive at Work toolkit with us today.
Without further ado, I hand you over to him…
Oh no!!! Not again!
I hadn’t intended to write a post recommending a book. But then I stumbled upon 59 seconds: Think a little, Change a Lot by Richard Wiseman (you can check it out here) and just had to share it. Plus, I got the book for free… something I also had to share 🙂
Check out later in the post how you can also get free books.
Hands up… I’m not one for all these self-improvement books. This might surprise you, as I wrote a book called The Shiny & New, Confident You, which you’re probably thinking is just that.
Change can be a swine. It can vex you, perplex you, stress you and distress you. Happily, it doesn’t need to be like that. With just a few small tweaks to your coping with change strategy, change can become a refreshing and energising opportunity… a source of drive, rather than dive-for-cover.
Being the amateur philosopher that I am (a title I earned after repeating a quote I read on the back of a Guinness beer mat), I’ve always thought of change as a tide. Firstly, it’ll happen regardless of whether you want it to or not. Secondly, you have a choice. You either decide to go with it and learn how to swim, or you choose to risk drowning by using all your energy trying to resist the inevitable.