5 Toxic Behaviors That Can Destroy Your Company's Potential

"I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team, I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team , not the individual, is the ultimate champion." - Mia Hamm

What motivates an employee to work?

Well, quite a lot might say that it is good pay. But more often than not and especially in this generation, a good take home salary no longer cuts it. Today, job satisfaction is no longer hinged on how much an individual can take home at the end of the day, but rather the level of contentment one experiences in the workplace.

Job satisfaction often involves a myriad of factors-from professional growth to a healthy work environment. A good and healthy work environment extends beyond clean cubicles and organized desks. It means feeling fulfilled with what you do and being motivated enough to do it. In this regard, a healthy work environment does not only mean lush offices or sophisticated office spaces in BGC. Your attitude as well as your colleagues' and employees would play a pivotal factor in cultivating an atmosphere of excellence and motivation for the workplace--which begs the question: What makes a good employee?

You and your employees need to take some introspective measures to evaluate whether or not you possess the right kind of attitude that befits a healthy workplace environment. After all, a good and productive workplace often starts from within and if you wish to boost overall corporate morale, you need to take a deeper look about the kind of workplace attitude you and your subordinates possess. While there are obvious signs, there are some that are covert but not any less pernicious than the overt ones. In any case, here are the cardinal signs of a toxic employee:

1. They routinely gossip

While indulging in idle gossip is normal, routinely engaging in gossip every chance you get is different. In fact, this might be the biggest red flag there is. Gossip hurts the workplace because it breeds negative intrigue about the people you work with. With this in mind, you should avoid it at all costs. Avoid it at all costs--both gossip and gossipers alike. If it happens in your presence, be sure to shut it down when you can.

2. They hold onto grudges

Contempt stems from grudges which is why it is bad to hold onto it. Toxic employees hold on to grudges regardless of whether or not the original offense has been rectified and apologized for. It would not matter whether the offense was appropriately atoned for either as the toxic personality would remain resentful. No amount of placating would appease them. They tend to perpetually play the victim and would justify their bullying actions for a past wrong that was done to them.

3. They are passive-aggressive

Toxic employees do not address workplace issues head on. Instead, they engage in passive-aggressive practices that would goad other employees who the toxic personality has taken issue upon into engaging in an argument with them. Instead of talking it over, they would rather treat the problem with hostility under the guise of a general observation. An unhealthy and unbecoming habit that makes everyone feel uncomfortable and breeds enmity in the corporate setting. Avoid it at all costs.

4. They mock others

There is a very big difference between light teasing and open mockery. The former is not meant to offend nor hurt feelings while the latter is meant to be hurtful and insulting. In fact, it can be seen as hostile--a poisonous practice that can easily turn into a heated argument if left unchecked. It is rather easy to determine what mockery is--these are the jokes that are repetitively said and the employee saying it never gets tired of the joke. Intervene before it gets too far.

5. They are not open about their displeasure

Instead of speaking up, they tend to use silence to express their displeasure. In fact, it can be rather disconcerting. Be on the watch for it and be sensitive to any signs of it. It can emanate from one colleague to another, but be sensitive enough to know what the signs are as silence, though subtle, can be disruptive and it can seriously affect the entire team.


Guest Author

Janice Jaramillo

Janice Jaramillo is a twenty something who loves to write about various topics. She likes to travel around the world to meet new people and gain new experiences. Google +