We’ve all observed the person who dampens enthusiasm or spoils our enjoyment of work. These folk, whilst few in number, erode workplace culture and they are something of curse for HR professionals given the distractions they engender and the work they create.
LinkedIn, HR sites, business journals and jobs boards variously address the impact toxic co-workers have, how to avoid them and, when you have no choice, how to deal with them.
All well and good but some how they keep popping up and are generally well ensconced in the workplace. So, how do you recognize them? What traits do they have? Are you sure you have one? Try the test below, apply the metrics and then you will be in no doubt if there is a Grinch in your midst.
Choose a person in your workplace you know well and who might qualify and check their level of toxicity.
Scoring:
0. I do not detect this at all
1. I have noted a hint of this but it’s very much the exception
2. I observe this fairly frequently
3. I observe this all of the time
1 Fails to listen and indeed does not want to hear
2 Pressures and generally harasses others
3 Is unapproachable, remote, reclusive, suspicious and moody
4 Displays aggression when questioned, challenged or threatened
5 Reacts and demonstrates hostility for the slightest of reasons
6 Lacks emotional intelligence
7 Is inconsistent, unpredictable, erratic and lacking in focus
8 Plays games with people and enjoys intrigue
9 Bullies, intimidates, threatens, undermines, ridicules and is mean spirited
10 With-holds information and misrepresents
11 Entraps others, feeds off their mistakes. Tells tales, gossips and suck-ups to top management
12 Bosses people, engages in constant criticism and personalizes issues
13 Lies, covers up and is untrustworthy
14 Is often sarcastic, disparaging, condescending and/or patronizing
15 Treats others with contempt, disrespect, discourtesy
16 Runs with their own agendas and promotes themselves
17 Divides, denigrates, insults, spreads rumors, undermines (often the boss) and fashions discord
18 Is opportunistic and self-serving
19 Operates on the belief that they are always right
20 Creates and sustains work-place tension and enjoys the fact
TOTAL SCORE:
SCORE BANDS:
0 - 10 You enjoy a colleague free of toxic behavior
11 - 20 You have a colleague who occasionally is toxic
21 - 30 You have a colleague who frequently is toxic
31 - 40 You have an established and seasoned toxic colleague
41 + You have a serial and chronic toxic colleague who wreaks havoc
From:
Leadership with a ‘T’ - a forthcoming eBook
Faulkner is an experienced, semi retired senior executive, HR manager and mentor who is a sometime blogger on leadership and people management. He is finishing up the long awaited eBook on people averse behaviors in our workplaces. He is also an Apps architect that facilitate assessments of one’s fit with work and the character of the employing organization (a work nearing completion). He welcomes contact related to his content tbombsalute@gmail.com
