Lost Voices, Lost Potential: The Side Effects of Dysfunctional Cultures
In every workplace, there's a silent language spoken through employee behaviour.
When employees become quiet and the laughter is silenced, it's often a telltale sign that something isn't right.
We've all seen the effects of dysfunctional cultures: disengagement, job searching in secrecy, and a palpable drain on enthusiasm and motivation. But what's often overlooked is the quieter, more insidious consequence: the spiraling invisibility experienced, particularly by women.
Dysfunctional cultures don't emerge overnight; they're the culmination of myriad small and large issues that seep into the organisational fabric over time. While dysfunctional leadership can certainly exacerbate these problems, it's not the sole culprit. New managers, unaware of their biases or lacking the ability to authentically engage with their teams, can unwittingly contribute to a toxic environment.
For female employees, the effects can be especially profound. As they begin to feel undervalued and overlooked, their voices gradually fade into the background. Questions about their worth and contribution simmer beneath the surface, eventually leading to a retreat into professional invisibility. This vicious cycle not only damages individual self-esteem but also erodes the overall health of the workplace.
When employees become quiet, it usually sends a signal that the work environment has been dysfunctional.
My own journey reflects the silent struggles faced by many women in the workforce. After returning from parental leave, I found myself navigating a maze of unintended biases and discriminatory practices.
Offhanded comments from male leaders and lack of support from my new manager left me feeling marginalized and frustrated.
Ultimately, I made the difficult decision to leave, recognising that my well-being and ambitions were incompatible with the unsupportive environment.
But my story didn’t end there.
Luckily for me I had the foresight to engage a coach. A female coach that was aware of the experiences young females face when returning to the workplace after having babies.
This is one reason why I'm passionate about supporting women in reclaiming their confidence and strength in the workplace.
I believe in empowering women to voice their unique perspectives and experiences, whether as mothers, professionals, or both. By fostering environments of inclusivity and support, we can create spaces where all individuals thrive and succeed.
The silent signals of dysfunction may go unnoticed, but their impact reverberates throughout the workplace. It's time to break the silence, to acknowledge and address the underlying issues that feed into dysfunctional cultures.
We need you to champion change and resilience, paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future in the workplace.
If you need support, let’s make a time to talk. I want to hear your story.