One of my dear friends is a Managing Director at a technology company. Having a MD role had always been her ambition and when she finally snagged this job she was over moon.
Let me summarize some of her experiences.
- The strategic projects she was brought on to lead were underfunded or defunded.
- Budget cuts denied her the ability to hire the staff she needed to meet her organizational objectives.
- The volume of work she has keeps her completely under water and she’s not growing professionally.
- She gets no acknowledgement nor recognition for her contribution to the organization.
Now in her 3rd year of employment, I asked her if she had considered launching a job search. Although she acknowledged being unhappy and unfulfilled, she said she would wait to see how things evolve.
In my journey of professional self-discovery and growth, I’ve come to realize that stoicism, while admirable, has its limitations.
There’s a certain resilience in a woman leader that makes you hold onto roles that drain you, both emotionally and mentally.
Let’s explore some of the reasons why you choose to suffer in silence rather than seek change.
Find the full transcript and other resources for women leaders at https://livingwhileleading.com/6.
Crucial Signs of a Toxic Work Environment that Women Executives Need to Recognize
Fulfilling the needs of a demanding job can make it difficult to take time to step back and determine whether you‘re in an unhealthy work situation.
However, a delay in assessing your circumstances and not taking action has consequences. It’s been well established that a toxic work environment can take a severe toll on your mental and emotional health.
It can also diminish your performance and stunt your professional growth. This leads to decreased job satisfaction, which leads to decreased productivity. It’s a vicious cycle.
Let’s discuss the key signs that your workplace is no longer right for you:
Constant Exhaustion: This isn’t about the occasional late night or high-stress periods that are part of any executive role.
This is about a relentless drain that goes beyond physical exhaustion. If your job leaves you consistently emotionally drained, feeling disillusioned and demotivated, it’s time to ask whether this role is serving your professional growth and mental stability.
Negativity and Underappreciation: Criticism and constructive feedback are part of every job.
But, if you’re in an environment where negativity overshadows positivity and your efforts are perpetually undervalued or unrecognized take note.
This is a red flag that you are experiencing a malignant team or organizational culture.
Stagnation: Are you caught in a loop of performing non-valued added tasks which don’t enhance your skills or advance your career? Stagnation can be a subtle but insidious sign that your job is no longer serving your ambitions.
Do any of these resonate with you?
Why do Women Leaders Tolerate Unhealthy Jobs?
You know your job no longer serves you. You secretly envy your friends who enjoy their work and the people they’re surrounded with.
You yearn for the days when you had leaders and colleagues who respected you and when you worked for an organization that valued your contribution.
Despite all of these feelings you continue to endure because you’ve been conditioned to believe that if you tolerate it, if you work harder, you can overcome any adversity.
This mantra has served you well in many situations. But, there’s a critical difference between overcoming challenges that lead to growth and being mired in a situation that stifles your potential and chips away at your well-being.
Let’s unpack the 3 main reasons you resist change.
Fear of the Unknown: In most cases the unknown is more disturbing to you than your familiar yet unfulfilling environment.
Starting anew can mean stepping out of our comfort zone to face the uncertainty of putting yourself out there to look for a new challenge.
This fear that can be paralyzing, making you choose the devil you know over the uncertainty you don’t.
Financial Security: The security that comes with a steady paycheck can make you think twice before quitting a stable job.
The possibility of financial instability during the transition period is unsettling and a major deterrent for most women.
Societal Expectations and Self-Doubt: The societal pressure to put on your big girl pants and stick it out coupled with your internalized self-doubt can trap you in unhealthy job.
Your fear of being labeled a quitter is palatable. You’ve been conditioned to believe that leaving equates to personal failure or defeat.
You rationalize that your situation could be worse and you have no right to complain.
In many cases, you believe you don’t deserve better for yourself.
An Objective Assessment is a Crucial Step for Business Women
Only you can decide if taking an honest inventory of your situation is a worthwhile endeavor. No one will do it for you!
This is an essential first step before you embark on making any life-changing career decisions.
Consider these recommendations:
Remove the emotion from this process. I know this is difficult, however this exercise requires that you be in a sound state of mind to objectively assess your situation.
Emotions can cloud your judgement and potentially lead to hasty or unwise choices.
Remember, you want to run towards something nurturing and fulfilling not towards another nightmare.
Seek support from your mentors or an executive coach to help you sort through your reality and rationally weigh your options.
Embrace the understanding that societal approval is secondary to your mental health, happiness, and personal growth.
Your past success is an indicator that you’re more than capable of navigating the uncertainty of the unknown and securing your financial stability.
It’s time you shift the narrative from sticking it out to stepping up.
Step up and make the audacious decision to choose yourself!
Remember, you are the solution to claiming what’s important to you!