Hello my friends!

Hard to believe summer is already halfway over!

I’m in Oregon, so my kids have been out of school since the middle of June and will be going back in September.

We’ve definitely been making the most of every weekend, which has been a blast.

Time sure does fly. My oldest will be in middle school next year, it feels like I blinked and suddenly have a 12 year old.

I hope you all have been having a blessed summer as well.

A couple of things I’m working on:

A 1:1 toolkit for all of you

Having effective 1:1s will make every other part of your job so much easier. I’m putting together a toolkit that will include templates to help you with structure and provide guidance with specific conversations that may come up.

Excited for you all to see it.

A text messaging coaching service

I’m also starting a text messaging coaching service that 100% focused on helping you get promoted. Interested? Send me an email and I’ll send you details.

Now, let’s dive into the lens…

You might not be the problem

The issue with teams and organizational health is that things can get toxic. When toxicity creeps in, the wrong people often rise to the top and gain power.

In these situations, you might constantly wonder if your job is on the line or feel pressured to do things that go against your morals and values.

It's not uncommon to start feeling like something is wrong with YOU. But remember, toxic organizations are unfortunately not rare.

Here are a few data points about toxic workplaces:

• 71% of workers say they have anxiety on weekends about returning to work on Monday.

• 53% say they have nightmares about their toxic boss.

• 41% have sought therapy because of a toxic work environment.

• 68% of those with a toxic boss have heard the phrase "What I say is final because I am the boss."

This doesn't mean you should jump ship every time a problem comes up—even healthy organizations face challenges. But it's crucial to step back and reflect on what's happening in your organization.

How are people being treated?

Pay attention to this.

When mistakes happen. When people leave. When someone disagrees with leadership.

How are people treated?

Sometimes we get so caught up in our own personal ambitions of rising to the top and getting a specific title that we don't stop to think about whether or not we'll be happy when we get there.

If we're part of a culture that makes us feel insecure now, this probably won't change as we grow our careers—without significant shifts throughout the organization.

Why do people do the things they do?

People don't treat us the way they do because of who we are.

They treat us the way they do because of who they are, their experiences, and the overall organizational culture.

When you get a group of insecure and anxious people in a room together making decisions, it can lead to a toxic environment. But remember, toxicity can come from various sources, not just leadership.

A few symptoms of a toxic work culture to look out for:

• Blame games

• Cliques forming

• Unclear expectations

• Lack of recognition

• High attrition

If you recognize these signs, what can you do? Start by:

1. Considering whether you can influence positive change

2. Exploring other opportunities if the environment remains unhealthy

Remember, a toxic work environment isn't your fault, and you have options. Your wellbeing should always be a priority. Take time to assess your situation, and don't hesitate to seek support or make changes if needed.

Your career is a journey, and sometimes the best path forward is recognizing when it's time to find a healthier environment where you can thrive.

Have questions? Reply to this email. I’ll always help how I can.