Toxic Positivity Is Real: Is It Thriving in Your Workplace?

Written by: Mia Barnes

Optimism is necessary, but being around someone who always has a sunny perspective on things can backfire. Learn about toxic positivity to understand the phenomenon and identify it in your workplace. If you can recognize it in yourself or others, you’re one step closer to ensuring that it doesn’t negatively affect anyone’s mental health.

What Is Toxic Positivity?

Toxic positivity is a perspective in which someone shuts down or dismisses negative emotions with niceties. It can also appear as passive-aggressive positivity. Someone with this bad habit might not always know they’re doing it either. Recognizing and changing toxic positivity takes time and practice.

Examples of Toxic Positivity in the Workplace

You don’t have to wonder if someone’s bright attitude is healthy or not. Read a few examples of toxic positivity to spot it more effectively in your workplace.

Someone Who’s Always Happy, Even When They Feel Stressed Out

Being professional isn’t the same thing as always being happy. Work gets stressful sometimes. It’s healthy to admit that. Even though experts note that 60% of employees across numerous industries experience stress that results in burnout symptoms, some people don’t want to admit they’re living that reality. When they encounter something that’s anxiety-inducing, they might say phrases like:

• It could be worse.

• Everything happens for a reason.

• There’s always a silver lining.

Never acknowledging your stress isn’t good for your mental health. People who stick with this mindset may be emotionally exhausted, potentially depressed and close to thinking about quitting.

Someone Who Ignores Workplace Conflict

Conflict avoidance can be part of toxic positivity in the workplace. Someone who’s afraid of speaking up when another person mistreats them or breaks the rules might try to focus on the bright side, even while they’re gritting their teeth. Never standing up for yourself or learning how to manage conflict professionally could reduce your sense of self-worth.

Someone Who Dismisses Criticism

Hearing criticism is always challenging. People who are overly positive may dismiss criticism — constructive or not — to protect their egos. If their boss gives them negative feedback, they might make dismissive comments. They could say their boss is just having a bad day and they’ll revisit the topic another time. It may sound considerate, but understanding words mask someone’s inability to grow.

How to Respond and Manage Toxic Positivity

You don’t have to exist in a toxically positive workplace forever. Discover how to respond when it appears so everyone can enjoy a healthier professional environment.

1. Help Others Voice Their Concerns

Most people have experienced what it’s like to walk on eggshells to avoid conflict with someone. If your boss is the source of toxic positivity in your workplace, your team members might not feel safe when they need to raise concerns. Your boss might dismiss their feelings or excuse bad behaviors to keep things light around the office.

Try standing with your team members when this happens. They’ll feel encouraged by your support. If more than one person is involved in the conversation, your boss might also be more inclined to listen to the complaint.

2. Listen to Others and Yourself

Everyone has the potential to dismiss their own negative feelings. It’s not always the best time to process stress or anxiety, but don’t let avoidance become a habit. If you validate your adverse emotions and listen to others so they can do the same, you’ll create an environment where toxic positivity can’t take root. No one will feel under pressure to hold in their emotions when your team practices listening to each other, validating your feelings and working through them together.

3. Gently Call Out Toxic Positivity

There’s a healthy way to call out toxic positivity. Remember, some people don’t even realize they’re doing it. When you see it in action at work, tell that person how you appreciate their perspective, but it would be more constructive to address the problem or concern at hand. Your wording won’t make them feel minimized and you’ll get to focus on whatever’s keeping everyone from feeling comfortable in your workplace.

Make Your Workplace Better for Everyone

Toxic positivity is a challenge people experience in every profession. Although it might seem like something that’s out of your control, there are effective ways to respond to it. Once you know how toxic positivity presents itself, you can create a healthier environment by listening to others, validating your own feelings and facing obstacles together.