Early Signs an Organization May Be Toxic
“Early signs an organization may be toxic include a pattern of confusion and elitism. ”
Early signs an organization may be toxic include a pattern of confusion and elitism. This is based on my experience with (far too many) toxic organizations. In every one of them, elitism and confusion were early signs of the toxicity that usually took about two years to fully reveal itself.
A pattern of confusion could be: difficulty getting answers to questions. Multiple people giving different answers to the same question. Dismissal or bypassing of questions altogether. Difficulty finding information. Sometimes, leadership and supervisors will demonstrate a pattern of deliberately withholding information (or twisting information).
A pattern of elitism might be more difficult to notice. We all want to work with organizations who are proud of what they do and how they do it! This isn’t elitism. Elitism can be a pattern of consistently pointing out how other organizations do it wrong; consistently highlighting the org’s (or sometimes the org leader’s) specialness and superiority. Hero worship or a separatist mindset. Resistance to collaboration. Resistance to feedback. Consistently demeaning people who choose to leave. It also might show up in a pattern of favoritism when certain employees are selected for special treatment.
These signs may not be glaring enough to avoid the toxic org altogether, but if you begin to notice the patterns, see them as a signal to move slowly. Begin diversifying your network. Definitely don’t put all your proverbial eggs into that org’s proverbial basket. Pay attention. Take care of yourself. Build a support system so if you have to leave, those resources are already in place. No org is so special that it is worth sacrificing your mental health.
What other early signs of toxicity have you seen? 👇
Katherine Spearing MA, CTRC is the founder of Tears of Eden, a nonprofit supporting survivors of spiritual abuse and is a Certified Trauma Recovery Practitioner working primarily with clients who have survived cults, high-control environments, spiritual abuse, and sexual abuse. She also provides specialized trauma informed career coaching, as folks with trauma often need extra support for interviewing and networking.
Katherine is the author of a historical romantic comedy, Hartfords, a novel that challenges gender roles in a patriarchal society that will appeal to fans of Jane Austen. Her next book on Spiritual Abuse addresses the survivor’s recovery journey, coming in 2025.
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