98. Poor Work Cultures and Trauma Bonding With Your Colleagues

11/17/23 • 20 min

Ways to Change the Workplace with Prina Shah

Poor Work Cultures and Trauma Bonding With Your Colleagues

If you have uttered any of these statements, you may have a trauma bond with your workplace and your colleagues...

"I know the workplace is toxic, but I can't imagine leaving. We've been through so much together."
"I keep hoping things will get better, that they'll appreciate my dedication and hard work eventually."
"I can't speak up about the issues because I'm afraid of the consequences. It's like we're all in this together."
"Despite the stress, I can't envision myself anywhere else. We've become a sort of dysfunctional family."
"I know I'm not happy, but leaving would feel like abandoning ship. We've weathered so much together."
"There's a strange camaraderie here, even if it's born out of shared misery. It's hard to let that go."

In today's fast-paced and competitive work environments, it is common for individuals to spend more time with their colleagues than with their own families. This can create a unique dynamic where employees form deep connections with their coworkers, often referred to as "workplace families."

While a positive work culture can foster a sense of belonging and support, a toxic work environment can lead to trauma bonding among colleagues. In this episode, we will explore the concept of trauma bonding in the context of poor work cultures and discuss its impact on individuals and organizations (and I will provide practical ideas to address said issues.)

I have had many people talk to me about this so here is a podcast episode covering:

The Impact of Poor Work Cultures
Understanding Trauma Bonding
Shared experiences of adversity
Signs of Trauma Bonding
The Cycle of Trauma Bonding
The Consequences of Trauma Bonding
Breaking Free from Trauma Bonding
Recognizing the Signs

I have helped many individuals and workplaces to optimise their organisaitonal culture, to create healthier teams and to create the right sub culture if your overall culture is u

Send Prina a text to let her know how you'd change the workplace

Support the show

If you are seeking professional advice or would like to change your company culture through training, consulting, speaking and coaching, get in touch with Prina Shah today. Email Prina.
For More Info on Prina Shah & her Services:
Grab a copy of Make Work Meaningful and start creating your own legacy at work and leave me a review.

Subscribe to the Ways to Change the WorkplacePodcast for more actionable insights.

Prina Shah LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/prinashah/
Prina Shah Website⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.prinashah.com/
Prina Shah Facebook⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.facebook.com/groups/waystochangetheworkplace
Prina Shah Instagram⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/prina.shah/
Prina Shah YouTube⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@prinashahconsulting

Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace...

Poor Work Cultures and Trauma Bonding With Your Colleagues

If you have uttered any of these statements, you may have a trauma bond with your workplace and your colleagues...

"I know the workplace is toxic, but I can't imagine leaving. We've been through so much together."
"I keep hoping things will get better, that they'll appreciate my dedication and hard work eventually."
"I can't speak up about the issues because I'm afraid of the consequences. It's like we're all in this together."
"Despite the stress, I can't envision myself anywhere else. We've become a sort of dysfunctional family."
"I know I'm not happy, but leaving would feel like abandoning ship. We've weathered so much together."
"There's a strange camaraderie here, even if it's born out of shared misery. It's hard to let that go."

I have had many people talk to me about this so here is a podcast episode covering:

The Impact of Poor Work Cultures
Understanding Trauma Bonding
Shared experiences of adversity
Signs of Trauma Bonding
The Cycle of Trauma Bonding
The Consequences of Trauma Bonding
Breaking Free from Trauma Bonding
Recognizing the Signs

I have helped many individuals and workplaces to optimise their organisaitonal culture, to create healthier teams and to create the right sub culture if your overall culture is u

Send Prina a text to let her know how you'd change the workplace

Support the show

Subscribe to the Ways to Change the WorkplacePodcast for more actionable insights.

Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace...

Previous Episode

97. On Strategic Thinking - When You Start Turning Over Rocks, You're Going to Find Worms with Prina Shah

When you start turning over rocks, you're going to find worms!
Then you need to be strategic with how to address said worms!
When you start turning over rocks, you're gonna find worms.

You are then therefore going to be the problem...

And, ideally, you should be the solution as well.

So in a workplace, often is the case that we will uncover issues.

And, oh my gosh, there will be issues and often people just go to their manager with issues without providing any solutions.

So my recommendation to you is, or my question to you is when you uncover those rocks, you find those worms, are you going to be a part of the problem or are you going to be a part of the solution?

Every time I used to go to my manager with an issue, I'd also have a bit of a solution, at least one or two solutions in my pocket ready to say, hey, I thought about this strategically, and while we have this problem, here are the associated risks with it, here are the potential costs, and this is my solution therefore.

Try it and see how you go!

Send Prina a text to let her know how you'd change the workplace

Support the show

Subscribe to the Ways to Change the WorkplacePodcast for more actionable insights.

Prina (Helping you find GREAT ways to change your workplace...

Next Episode

99. Legacy Series with CEO Anthony Vuleta and Prina Shah

Ready to discover what it takes to lead a thriving community, meet multiple expectations, and foster an invigorating workplace culture?
Then you'll want to tune into this episode where I candidly chat with the inspiring CEO of the Town of Victoria Park, Anthony Vuleta.
With his unique leadership style, Anthony believes in listening to his team's feedback to deliver positive outcomes, and his approach to managing multiple bosses (including his wife!) is both humorous and insightful.
Anthony's inherent integrity shines as he shares the importance of care and openness in leadership. His vision extends beyond just the organization, focusing on building capability for an entire industry, thereby helping the community to flourish.
He talks about how he engaged with his staff during hard times, overcoming career challenges, and the beauty of letting his team take control of their own destiny while providing guidance when necessary.

I also delve into Anthony's advice for aspiring leaders, which is as super practical.
Whether you're a budding leader or a seasoned executive, Anthony's unique perspectives will surely leave you inspired and informed.
Do pass on this enlightening discussion.

Send Prina a text to let her know how you'd change the workplace

Support the show

Subscribe to the Ways to Change the WorkplacePodcast for more actionable insights.