Beyond the Positivity Bubble: Unveiling the Reality of Toxic with Pamela Brooks

Toxic positivity has become a prevalent issue in the workplace, with several studies highlighting its widespread impact.

• 67.8% of respondents in a Science of People survey reported experiencing toxic positivity from someone in the past week. More than 75% of respondents in the same survey admitted that they "sometimes, often, or very often ignore their own emotions in favor of being happy." Source: Science of People survey, 2023

But why should an executive or even a manager care?

What’s wrong with pumping up people by focusing on what’s working?

 In a recent Forbes article entitled The Negative Impact of Toxic Positivity In the Workplace, Senior Contributor Jack Kelly defined “toxic positivity as the belief that employees must focus on positive emotions and disavow negative feelings in the workplace. A toxic positivity agenda calls for being enthusiastic and upbeat despite the dire situation. No matter what goes wrong, you are not allowed to show or say anything resembling negativity. No matter how bad the problem is, you must grin and bear it. When management promotes a culture of toxic positivity, it can adversely affect workers. The unrelenting pressure and stress to discount their own experiences and be someone they aren’t can lead to feelings of burnout and letting the team and company down.”

Denise Cooper and Pamela Brooks discuss toxic positivity when someone denies or dismisses another person's negative emotions or struggles with an upbeat, “you’ll get over it, or pull yourself together” attitude. During this episode, we’ll explain that toxic positivity can lead to increased impostor syndrome, perfectionism, and overcritical internal judgment about yourself. When it’s widespread in your organization, decisiveness, speed, and critical thinking go down.

Listen as Denise and her returning guest discuss:

• What are the challenges leaders face in managing overwhelmed employees and prioritizing tasks?
• Three things you can do as a manager to help employees handle burnout, change fatigue, and improve communications.
• The importance of leaders being vulnerable, providing the right support, and recognizing that individuals are doing their best given their circumstances actually improves business results.

Pamela Richards is a returning featured guest on our show. Pam's expertise lies in designing and facilitating workshops and experiences that unlock transformational performance. She's a certified Dare to Lead™ facilitator and Conversational Intelligence™ practitioner, empowering individuals to embrace vulnerability and lead with empathy. Her passion for neuroscience fuels her exploration of the factors contributing to exceptional performance and enhancing our enjoyment of life.

Pam's impact extends beyond the corporate world, as she's presented at large-scale conferences such as the Philip 66 International Conference and Baxter Asia Pacific's International Strategic Thinking Workshop in Shanghai. She's also facilitated Dare to Lead™ workshops for smaller groups and has been an integral part of conferences like BADD, the 101 Black Women's Coalition, and ASU's Commission on the Status of Women.

When not immersed in the world of leadership development, Pam finds her balance in outdoor pursuits like cycling, hiking, and sailing. She's even picked up a new hobby – golf – alongside her husband.