this is work 809 dysfunctional workplaces, career move to a start-up & can leaders really work fewer hours?
9 snips
Mar 8, 2026 Emily Bowen, a frequent career and leadership conversation partner who offers coaching-style guidance. They tackle supporting people stuck with toxic bosses and practical ways to influence a dysfunctional team. They discuss when culture needs serious intervention and map concrete change steps. They weigh moving from low-paid corporate roles to startups and whether leaders can realistically work fewer hours.
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Support Others By Controlling Your Influence
- Do focus on your circle of control and influence when supporting a neighbouring team with a toxic boss.
- Shelley Johnson recommends role modelling great behaviour and offering coaching questions to peers without feeding gossip or exhausting your energy.
Avoid Gossip And Offer Practical Support
- Do avoid spiralling into gossip and exhaustion when you're not the leader of the toxic team.
- Emily Bowen advises holding your own behaviour high, giving tools to peers, and encouraging them to escalate to trusted leaders where possible.
Culture Change Gets Messier Before It Improves
- Culture change often gets messier before it improves, like spring cleaning a wardrobe.
- Emily Bowen warns leaders to brace for increased visible dysfunction as standards are enforced and habits break down temporarily.
