98. Poor Work Cultures and Trauma Bonding With Your Colleagues

Poor Work Cultures and Trauma Bonding With Your Colleagues

If you have uttered any of these statements, you may have a trauma bond with your workplace and your colleagues…

"I know the workplace is toxic, but I can't imagine leaving. We've been through so much together."
"I keep hoping things will get better, that they'll appreciate my dedication and hard work eventually."
"I can't speak up about the issues because I'm afraid of the consequences. It's like we're all in this together."
"Despite the stress, I can't envision myself anywhere else. We've become a sort of dysfunctional family."
"I know I'm not happy, but leaving would feel like abandoning ship. We've weathered so much together."
"There's a strange camaraderie here, even if it's born out of shared misery. It's hard to let that go."

In today's fast-paced and competitive work environments, it is common for individuals to spend more time with their colleagues than with their own families. This can create a unique dynamic where employees form deep connections with their coworkers, often referred to as "workplace families."

While a positive work culture can foster a sense of belonging and support, a toxic work environment can lead to trauma bonding among colleagues. In this episode, we will explore the concept of trauma bonding in the context of poor work cultures and discuss its impact on individuals and organizations (and I will provide practical ideas to address said issues.)

I have had many people talk to me about this so here is a podcast episode covering:

The Impact of Poor Work Cultures
Understanding Trauma Bonding
Shared experiences of adversity
Signs of Trauma Bonding
The Cycle of Trauma Bonding
The Consequences of Trauma Bonding
Breaking Free from Trauma Bonding
Recognizing the Signs

I have helped many individuals and workplaces to optimise their organisaitonal culture, to create healthier teams and to create the right sub culture if your overall culture is untouchable.

Here’s to a world without crappy work cultures, without lousy leaders and without toxic teams. It can be done!

You don’t have to suffer at work. You don’t deserve it.

Below are my details, contact me to address your workplace issues.

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Learn more about your host Prina Shah and the Ways to Change the Workplace Movement!