A toxic boss can push triggers throughout the day so it’s no surprise we leave work exhausted and frustrated.
Once we awaken to recognize life is a transformative journey, it’s ideal to work independently or in collaboration with like-hearted individuals. Here’s why:
- If you value connection, mentoring and supporting others, a toxic boss pressures you to fall in line, play by his/her rules and align to an egoically-structured model. We’re left with inner dissonance: It’s frustrating to align to denser energies–such as fear and judgment used to justify the bottom line. The laws of consciousness invite us to expand and entrain to meta energies like love, compassion and understanding.
- A toxic boss does not have the ability to speak with another as a peer. Their ego creates facades that establish boundaries and prevent peer-to-per communications. As a result, we feel unseen and creativity is diminished.
- A toxic boss does not welcome suggestions. New ideas will be perceived as a threat to status, knowledge or authority. You may be discounted or sidelined.
Such differing expressions offer little mutuality and can result in you and your boss mired in triggers: You’ll be frustrated with the density in the workplace and its inability to nurture positive shifts. Your boss may take things personally and become triggered when s/he perceives a threat to self worth.
If not already doing so, independent work or collaboration with a group of like-hearted people can be a goal. In the meantime and until our collective workplace consciousness shifts, here are:
NINE WAYS to VALUE YOUR TIME with a TOXIC BOSS
- Let the time be a focused training ground for your skills and connecting with others you enjoy.
- Observe egos in action and experience how the ego is easily offended; it often seeks to dominate and be “right.” In this play of consciousness, everyone is having his/her own experience!
- During toxic office dynamics, teach yourself to center. It’s painful to get caught in ongoing drama. Return to equanimity time and time again. Then take action as appropriate.
- Heal your trauma: When are you triggered? When do you feel unworthy? Does this relate to childhood experiences? This may be the perfect time to unravel the knots of early trauma!
- Zoom out to see your toxic boss from a bigger perspective. Inside every toxic boss is a victim who has yet to heal his/her traumas and hurts. A dominating boss carries on those own hurts like a virus and acts it out around others.
- Where do you have autonomy? Smash it and be impeccable in the process.
- Stand up for your self. Disrespect is not okay. Are you an empath who has endured disrespect? If so, perhaps it’s time to blast through an old pattern, to share your voice, your knowledge and truth.
- Notice when your suggestions are incorporated–whether you’re acknowledged or not. Be on the lookout for your language, your ideas. Consciousness has a unique way of incorporating light in groups and it’s fascinating.
- If you move on to another job or to your own business, provide an honest assessment during an exit interview. Do your best to support the expansion of awareness and respect for all.
Karuna has collaborated with like-hearted people, worked independently and as an employee during her career. She leads workplace wellbeing programs and serves a keynote speaker.
Her speciality is mentoring those who have experienced childhood adversity and allowing those experiences to support transformation.
Visit Karuna’s YouTube Channel: Complex PTSD Made Simple.