"I thought it was just a bad week," one of my clients told me. "Then every week was a bad week." She had just stepped into what seemed like a dream role – meaningful work, a respected title and attractive compensation. But it didn't take long for the cracks to appear. Her manager took credit for her work, and her ideas were ignored until echoed by others. She was tasked with menial assignments that didn't reflect her level or expertise. And when she brought up concerns, she received vague reassurances — or worse, was told to “be more of a team player.”
And, even though her intuition told her something was off, she ignored it and began to second-guess herself: her judgment, her abilities, even her memory. Maybe I’m being too sensitive. Maybe I need to be more adaptable, more easygoing, more grateful. By the time we began working together, her confidence was gone. And yet she still hesitated to label the situation toxic: “I guess it could be worse…”
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Toxic workplace dynamics often lurk behind seemingly attractive job situations. And they are more prevalent than we like to admit. The damage they cause is real, and it shows up everywhere: first in your sleep, then your self-worth and even your relationships.
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