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Toxic Workplace
Survival Guide
Are you struggling with a toxic work environment?
Feeling overwhelmed and stressed out?
The Toxic Workplace Survival Guide is here to help! Learn simple tips and techniques for managing stress and helping you set boundaries so you can live your best life.

by Sara J. Baker, Ed.D.
No question being a leader can be tricky. But there are some easy leadership quick wins you can implement immediately to help make the job a little easier.
What is a quick win strategy? It’s a tactic or strategy you can implement quickly and easily that will positively impact your business. If you’re a team leader, this means making changes to help your team work more efficiently or effectively.
Here are nine easy leadership quick wins you should start using right away:
Delegate tasks and responsibilities to your team members.
You may be the captain of your ship, but that doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself! You’re responsible for making decisions, coordinating efforts, and keeping everyone on track. It’s easy to feel like you have to do everything yourself to get the job done right. But one of the smartest things you can do as a leader is to delegate tasks and responsibilities to your team members.
This will lighten your workload and give your team members a sense of ownership and responsibility. Not only that, but it can also help you to boost morale and keep everyone moving forward. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that delegation is one of the most powerful tools in a leader’s toolbox.
Communicate regularly and openly with your team members.
Good communication is essential for any team to function effectively. By regularly communicating with your team members, you can build trust and understanding between you and them. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.
Open communication will allow you to resolve any disagreements or misunderstandings that may arise quickly. By establishing clear communication channels, you can make it easy for your team to follow your lead.

Be decisive when it counts.
Being easygoing is one thing, but it’s essential to be decisive when leading a team. Your team members will respect you more if they know that you can make tough decisions when necessary. That doesn’t mean you should always go with your gut – sometimes, it’s good to take the time to consider all of the options. But when it comes down to it, making a quick decision and then sticking to it will show your team that you’re in charge and that you’re willing to take responsibility for the outcome. And in the end, that’s what good leadership is all about.
Reward good performance and results.
As a leader, it’s important to reward good performance and results. This will motivate your team to continue working hard and achieving great things. Unfortunately, some leaders don’t do this. They either don’t know how easy it is to reward their team or believe that rewards are unnecessary.
Good performance can be easy to take for granted, but it’s also reasonably easy to tell your team when you see them doing a good job. By regularly recognizing your team’s efforts and excellent work, you’ll show them that you’re paying attention and appreciate their efforts. This will go a long way towards keeping them motivated and engaged in their work.
Be approachable and accessible to your team members.
Being an approachable and accessible leader is essential to the success of any team. When team members feel comfortable coming to you with questions or concerns, they are more likely to trust and respect you as a leader. Easy access to you as a leader will help build a strong team dynamic, as team members will feel like they can contribute more easily to the team’s success.
Being approachable and accessible also demonstrates your investment in your team’s success and that you are willing to work with them to achieve your shared goals. Ultimately, having an approachable leader is essential to the long-term success of any team.
Lead by example.
Helping your team members reach their potential doesn’t just mean providing them with guidance and direction. It also means setting the right example. After all, your team members will be more likely to follow your lead if they see that you’re walking the walk, not just talking the talk. As a leader, it’s important to be a role model for the behavior you expect to see from your team.
If you’re hoping for an environment of collaboration and respect, make sure you’re exhibiting those qualities yourself. If you want your team to be innovative and take risks, lead by example and tell them about the times when you’ve taken risks that have paid off. By leading by example, you can create a positive and productive work environment for everyone on your team.
Encourage creativity and innovation within your team.
As a manager, another great leadership quick win is to encourage creativity and innovation within your team. This will help spur new ideas and solutions to problems. One way to do this is to provide opportunities for brainstorming and problem-solving. Then, make time for team members to share their thoughts, and encourage them to think outside the box.
You can also create an environment conducive to creativity by providing resources and encouraging risk-taking. Finally, recognize and reward creative thinking, so that team members know that their efforts are valued. Finally, you can create an environment where creativity and innovation thrive by taking these steps.

Be flexible and adaptable to change.
Being a manager requires more than just giving orders and telling people what to do. It’s also important to be flexible and adaptable to change. This will show your team that you’re open to new ways of doing things and willing to change course when necessary.
It can be challenging to always be accommodating, but it’s important to remember that your team is looking to you for guidance. If you’re able to be flexible and adaptable, they’ll be more likely to do the same. In the end, this will help your team to be more successful and productive.
Promote a positive and upbeat attitude within your team.
A positive attitude is contagious. When you smile, others around you can’t help but smile too. The same is true for negativity. If you’re constantly complaining or looking for things to go wrong, you’ll find that your team reflects that same attitude. Promoting a positive and upbeat attitude within your team creates a more pleasant and productive work environment for everyone.
No one is perfect, and we all have bad days. But if you can remain positive, even on the toughest of days, it will make a world of difference for your team. Simply put, a positive attitude is the key to success in any workplace. So make it a priority to promote an upbeat attitude within your team. You’ll be surprised at how enjoyable and productive your workday becomes.

Time to get busy making some easy leadership quick wins.
Start implementing these nine leadership quick wins examples today and see the positive difference they make in your team’s productivity and morale. Remember, leaders who demonstrate that they are invested in their team’s success and willing to work with them to achieve a collaborative and supportive atmosphere have an advantage over those who don’t. And as a manager, being able to show your team that you’re willing to put in the work to help them be successful is a vital part of being an effective leader. So get started today and see the positive impact these leadership quick wins in the workplace!

About the Author
Dr. Sara Baker is an advocate for positive leadership and healthy workplaces. With over 20 years of experience leading private and public organizations, she understands the challenges that employees and leaders face every day.
Sara is the author of Toxic Workplace Survival Guide, an essential resource for anyone who wants to thrive in spite of a toxic work environment or who is ready to quietly quit. In addition to her writing, Sara provides online courses for leadership development and coping with a toxic workplace.
Sara enjoys spending time with her family and friends on her farm in Texas.

About the Author
Dr. Sara Baker is a thought leader in the area of positive leadership and healthy workplaces. With over 20 years of experience leading private and public organizations, she understands the challenges that employees face every day.
Sara is the author of Toxic Workplace Survival Guide, an essential resource for anyone who wants to thrive in spite of a toxic work environment or who is ready to quietly quit. In addition to her writing, Sara provides online courses for leadership development and coping with a toxic workplace.
Sara enjoys spending time with her family and friends on her farm in Texas.

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