Toxic Positivity in the Workplace: Understanding, Avoiding, and Dealing with It
Do you ever feel like your organization’s leaders are trying a little too hard to pretend that everything is totally fine? Are challenging conversations shut down in favor of “focusing on the positives” instead?” Have you ever responded to someone sharing something tough by encouraging them to think positively or be happy that things weren’t worse? Ever felt compelled to re-direct people to more comfortable topics or to avoid discussing problems?
If any of this sounds familiar - you’ve likely experienced toxic positivity. Statistics show that just about everyone has both received - and (accidentally) perpetuated - toxic positivity at various times in their lives. After all, positive thinking and “focusing on the bright side” have been packaged and sold to all of us as a compelling way to bypass the discomfort and tough stuff that we encounter.
Superficially, that sure sounds great! After all, no one really enjoys discomfort or hard things.
The problem is that this short-term bypassing might feel more productive or easier in the moment - but it actually creates longer-term problems. Research shows that Toxic Positivity is a culture and relationship killer that is strongly linked to burnout, workplace dissatisfaction, distrust, communication issues, and more. None of which are ideal.
That is what this training is all about - supporting individuals and organizations in their journey towards healthy communication, problem-solving effectively, generating high morale, supporting effective teamwork, improving resiliency, flexibility, and so much more more.
Whether you’re often on the receiving end of toxic positivity, or you’re looking to change your own tendency towards perpetuating it - this training series is for you.
In this 8 part video series we’ll cover:
What toxic positivity is and isn’t
The difference between optimism and toxic positivity
How to be positive without being toxically positive
How to identify Toxic Positivity
The most common forms of Toxic Positivity (with examples)
Why Toxic Positivity Happens (Most of us don’t like being on the receiving end of it - and yet, it isn’t uncommon to dole it out ourselves even if we know this). This section of the training will explain why!)
The Impact and Consequences of Toxic Positivity (AKA why you should care about this)
Six concrete tools that you can use to avoid being accidentally toxically positive
How to handle Toxic Positivity when you’re on the receiving end of it
(If you’d like to learn more about organizational pricing for multiple staff to access the training, please contact me directly.)