It has probably happened to you that you arrive at work feeling (or sure) that it is going to be another hard day. Another day when you have to deal with that colleague who is constantly complaining about another colleague(s) or about decisions you don't agree with.. Or even the colleague who constantly thinks that his work is beyond reproach and that everything revolves around himself.

According to the news published on the portal "Hrportugal", in those moments, he surely felt his 'soul leaving his body' with no possibility of return and thought to himself: "how do I deal with this in the best way?".

Well, we won't be able to say that it is an easy task, because it is not. However, there are always one of two choices we can make: (1) let ourselves be influenced by the constant toxicity or, (2) in cases where we can act, take an assertive stance and try to change the situation in a positive way.
The effects of a toxic environment are well known, and in extreme situations can lead to depression or other serious health problems. With this in mind, the best option is undoubtedly to learn to manage situations in the best way possible, without ignoring them.

So here are some tips that will help you better deal with a toxic work environment:

1. In the presence of a toxic colleague, do not follow its toxicity

In other words, it is important not to validate the behavior that causes the toxicity. When a colleague is in a 'huff' because, for example, he or she has asked the manager to leave early and has not been authorized, try not to get involved in the conversation by rushing in and validating the colleague's irritation (however tempting that may be).
Instead, channel the conversation into another topic. What the colleague will do next may not be predictable or within your control, but it is important to make it clear that you will not 'embark' on following the conversation. The colleague may, however, appeal to the approval of others around him, but the lack of validation received from you may be enough for a gain of awareness about his attitude.

2. Stress, 'there's more tomorrow

It is perfectly natural that during demanding periods of work there is a need to talk to someone closer to you, often a colleague who works directly with you, about how challenging the period is. However, sometimes it is extremely important to police ourselves when this kind of conversation comes up more often than expected. Why, you ask? Because colleagues - or other people in your circle - will get exhausted by your repeated complaints (even if your arguments are valid), and you too will get tired of constantly spending energy on some things that you either cannot change at all, or will take longer to change. The important thing to remember is that you should try to find a healthy balance. For yourself and for those around you.

3. 'Reflect' on colleagues who are more positive

Generally speaking, in every work environment there are colleagues who are very different from each other, which also brings us to the issue of toxicity at work. Even if at first glance the environment is toxic, there will be colleagues who perceive the situation in the same way as you do, but may find it easier to react in a positive way. The truth is this: it is these colleagues that you should look for at such times. We all have that one colleague who says the right word at the right time to put the whole team in a good mood and who makes situations less worrisome than they first appear. Even if you don't recognize this characteristic in any of your colleagues, you can always be the first to 'break new ground'.

4. Learning to cope with situations

In cases where there is already some animosity that is difficult to ignore, it may be an indication that it is time to face up to and address the problem. In high stress situations it can sometimes be difficult to address the problematic issues, so you can turn to a close friend or someone who has been through similar situations and seek their perspective. This will enable you to get across in your mind the important points you want to bring up in the exchange with the person who, in your perception, is causing the problem, thus helping you to have a more effective and confident discourse.

5. Gain confidence

When there are sub-chiefs, we always enter two distinct camps: the need to be autonomous and the need for control, and it is somewhere between these two poles that trust is built. One possible way to gain the trust of a boss is to provide him with information and control. Resisting this will only delay the gaining of trust. In this process, one must try to anticipate their needs and/or requests, that is, try to understand, even before being asked, what the boss needs (also often called being proactive). Then, it is essential to bet on a clear communication, providing all the information that the manager needs, including updates on the work done. The goal is to stay as aligned as possible with your superiors, avoiding some problematic points that may arise due to lack of clear and objective communication.

6. Find ways to relieve stress outside the work context

It's important to make sure that outside the work environment there is a life that is fulfilling enough to balance our well-being. Scheduling programs with friends or planning activities, such as a yoga class or a bike ride, are exercises that contribute immensely to physical and psychological well-being. After an intense day, non-work related activities are a great 'appetizer' for wellness, and can leave you feeling totally 'invigorated' for another day of resistance/combating toxicity.

By Micael Santos, Marketing and Communication Assistant at RHmais