How To Put a Toxic Job Behind You
2Digest
This episode of Slate's "Narrative Advice Podcast: How To" focuses on navigating toxic workplaces, featuring a guest host, Yasmeen Khan, and a guest, Elle, a former lawyer who transitioned to social work after 13 years. Elle shares her experience with burnout and depression in her first social work job, highlighting the challenges of finding a supportive work environment. Rudir Christel, a leadership coach, provides expert insights on the importance of understanding individual needs and fostering a supportive workplace environment. He emphasizes the gap between practice skills and leadership skills, highlighting the need for leaders to adapt to diverse employee needs. Rudir outlines key leadership skills crucial for creating a positive work environment, including clear communication, meaningful feedback, vision setting, and the ability to adapt to individual needs. Elle describes her ideal workplace as a collaborative environment where team members support each other, share expertise, and prioritize the well-being of both clients and colleagues. Rudir emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and understanding one's values when navigating workplace challenges. He encourages listeners to reflect on their ideal work environment and identify moments where they felt fulfilled and inspired. Elle reflects on moments in her career where she felt fulfilled, highlighting the importance of creativity, problem-solving, and making a positive impact on individuals. Rudir emphasizes the importance of finding a workplace where individuals feel known, valued, and supported in their growth. He encourages Elle to seek environments that prioritize autonomy and respect for individual judgment. Elle expresses her desire to balance her need for stability with her need for autonomy in her next career move. Rudir encourages her to envision her ideal practice five years from now, focusing on her passion for working with adolescents and creating a supportive environment. Elle expresses gratitude for the conversation and acknowledges the ongoing journey of self-discovery in her career. Rudir emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and adapting to evolving needs and values over time.
Outlines
Navigating Toxic Workplaces: A Former Lawyer's Transition and Leadership Insights
This episode explores the challenges of navigating toxic workplaces, featuring a former lawyer's transition to social work and insights from a leadership coach on creating supportive work environments.
Expert Perspective: Leadership Skills for a Supportive Workplace
A leadership coach provides insights on the importance of understanding individual needs and fostering a supportive workplace environment. He emphasizes the gap between practice skills and leadership skills, highlighting the need for leaders to adapt to diverse employee needs.
Elle's Story: Transitioning from Law to Social Work
A former lawyer shares her experience transitioning to social work after 13 years. She initially felt drawn to the field for its potential to make a difference, but quickly encountered challenges in her first job, leading to burnout and depression.
Creating a Positive Work Environment: Key Leadership Skills
Key leadership skills crucial for creating a positive work environment are outlined, including clear communication, meaningful feedback, vision setting, and the ability to adapt to individual needs.
Moving Forward: Balancing Security and Autonomy
The episode concludes with a discussion on balancing the need for stability with the need for autonomy in career choices, encouraging listeners to envision their ideal future and identify steps to achieve it.
Keywords
Toxic Workplace
A work environment characterized by negative behaviors, such as bullying, harassment, or lack of support, that negatively impact employee well-being and productivity.
Leadership Skills
Abilities and qualities that enable individuals to effectively guide and motivate others, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
Collective Workplace
A work environment that emphasizes collaboration, shared responsibility, and mutual support among team members, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
Autonomy
The freedom and independence to make decisions and take actions without excessive external control or interference, empowering individuals to exercise their judgment and expertise.
Self-Awareness
The ability to understand one's own thoughts, feelings, motivations, and behaviors, enabling individuals to make informed decisions and navigate challenges effectively.
Values
Core beliefs and principles that guide an individual's actions and decisions, shaping their priorities and preferences in various aspects of life, including work.
Fulfillment
A state of satisfaction and contentment derived from achieving personal goals, making a meaningful contribution, and experiencing a sense of purpose in one's work.
Q&A
What are some key leadership skills that can create a more supportive workplace environment?
Effective leaders should prioritize clear communication, provide meaningful feedback, set a clear vision for the future, and adapt to the diverse needs of their team members.
How can individuals identify moments in their career where they felt fulfilled and inspired?
Reflecting on past experiences and identifying moments where you felt like your best self can help you understand your values and what truly motivates you in your work.
What are some signs that a workplace might not be the right fit for you?
If you consistently feel undervalued, unsupported, or unable to exercise your judgment, it might be time to consider seeking a more supportive environment that aligns with your values and needs.
How can individuals balance their need for security with their need for autonomy in their career?
By clearly defining your values and envisioning your ideal workplace, you can identify opportunities that offer both stability and the freedom to pursue your passions.
What are some strategies for navigating the transition to a new career path?
It's helpful to envision your ideal future and identify steps that can move you in that direction. Seeking guidance from mentors or coaches can also provide valuable support and insights.
Show Notes
While the What Next team enjoys the holiday, we’re proud to feature this episode from our colleagues at How To.
When Elle started a new career as a therapist, she never imagined she would be the one in need of help. After just a few months, her position at a group practice became untenable amid a lack of support from colleagues. Now she’s looking for a new job and wants to avoid a similar scenario. On this episode of How To!, Carvell Wallace introduces Elle to leadership coach Rudhir Krishtel, who helps us rethink our relationships to co-workers—and work itself.
How To’s executive producer is Derek John. Joel Meyer is our senior editor/producer. The show is produced by Rosemary Belson, with Kevin Bendis and Sara McCrae.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Table of contents
United States
