Staying Grounded: Surviving an Unstable Workplace.
Starting a new job or project is often an exciting opportunity, bringing fresh challenges and the chance to make a positive impact. However, excitement can quickly turn to disappointment if the corporate culture proves unstable, dominated by a powerful, entrepreneurial leader who may lack the patience or focus for day-to-day management.
When you signed up for passion and purpose... but no one mentioned the plot twists in the job description!
In such environments, individuals who prioritise ambition over competence can disrupt productivity and morale. For a motivated and collaborative individual, such a setting can be both mentally taxing and professionally frustrating.
Is it possible to persevere in this kind of environment, or is leaving the only option?
This article explores the impacts of stepping into an unbalanced workplace, offering practical guidance on navigating these challenges. It will cover coping mechanisms and strategic decisions to help you assess your options based on your values and career goals.
The Shock of an Unprepared Landing
One of the most unsettling aspects of starting a new role is realising that the organisation’s true inner workings were left unexplored in the interview process.
Many job interviews showcase corporate values and an idealised company culture, yet the reality can be starkly different.
It’s common to find that the personality and influence of a charismatic, entrepreneurial owner loom large, shaping every aspect of the work environment in ways that can be both energising and destabilising.
The Ideal?
Rallying the troops where creativity flows, papers fly, and every day brings a fresh, exciting challenge!
A founder with a strong vision and dynamic ideas can be highly motivating, encouraging teams to think outside the box and setting a tone of ambition and innovation.
However, an owner or founder with a tendency toward unpredictability or impulsiveness may inadvertently create an environment where productivity and consistency are impacted.
Often, they expect others to think and operate at their level, sharing the same vision and approach. However, this expectation can overlook the need for structure, as not everyone may be aligned or equipped to operate in the same way.
Without clear guidance, teams may feel uncertain or misaligned, which can ultimately hinder efficiency and performance.
Or The Reality?
An unpredictable day where focus wavers, tasks pile up, and every new idea seems to derail the last!
While their entrepreneurial spirit may thrive in the ideation phase, or the next big step, day-to-day execution can falter, leaving teams feeling unsupported and disjointed.
When leadership’s focus is heavily on big ideas rather than operational stability, employees may experience an inconsistent work environment where directives shift frequently, and efforts can feel undermined.
This type of culture often prioritises the owner's latest vision over carefully managed projects or team cohesion, creating an environment that can be as inspiring as it is frustrating.
The result is often a unique mix of excitement and unpredictability—where the owner’s presence is felt in every corner of the workplace, profoundly shaping both the challenges and rewards of each workday.
Understanding the Entrepreneurial Leader
Visionary but Distant
In organisations led by visionary entrepreneurs, several patterns tend to emerge:
Focus on Vision over Execution: Entrepreneurs thrive on innovation and risk-taking but may lack interest in routine management necessary for team cohesion and consistent success.
Disconnect from Day-to-Day Operations: These leaders often have limited presence—both mentally and physically—in day-to-day operations, which can unintentionally empower certain individuals to exploit this absence and undermine others.
Inconsistent Accountability: Poor behaviour may go unchecked, particularly if it doesn’t immediately affect profits or the bigger vision. Leaders may entertain feedback from those who subtly destabilise competent employees.
Recognising these tendencies can provide valuable perspective on the founder’s actions; while they may not intend to create a chaotic or inconsistent environment, they may overlook the structural needs necessary for stability and productivity.
Fluid Founder vs Structured Employees
An entrepreneurial founder often operates with a visionary mindset, valuing fluidity, innovation, and rapid adaptation. However, they may not fully realise that many employees do not think in such "loose" employment terms.
When you’re floating along in structured bliss, but the boss’s ideas keep popping up like confetti
Unlike the founder, who might embrace ambiguity and swift shifts in direction, employees often rely on clear goals, structure, and cohesive direction to stay motivated and contribute effectively.
Without this foundational structure, employees may feel unanchored, struggling to see how their efforts align with the organisation's broader goals.
This disconnect can lead to misaligned priorities, where some team members—lacking a clear, common purpose—may work toward personal gain rather than the organisation's objectives.
The founder’s lack of focus on creating a stable operational framework can inadvertently empower these individuals, ultimately affecting the organisation’s cohesion, productivity, and overall culture.
Navigating Workplace Instability and Undermining Individuals
In unstable workplaces, individuals who prioritise self-interest can flourish. These individuals may:
Position Themselves as “Gatekeepers”: They present themselves as indispensable, leveraging their proximity to leadership to influence decisions.
Undermine Competent Colleagues: Through subtle discrediting of hardworking employees, they can project a false perception of their own competence.
Engage in Office Politics: They may feed selective information to leaders, shaping perceptions of team dynamics in ways that serve their own agendas.
Under the watchful eye?
It’s easy to feel both second-guessed and constrained—where every choice feels monitored, and genuine trust is hard to come by
Such behaviour can lead to a work environment where trust is scarce, and the atmosphere feels guarded. This instability often leaves newcomers questioning whether to persist or seek a healthier workplace.
So, how do you Stay Grounded and Survive in an Unstable Workplace?
In an unstable workplace, staying grounded requires mindful strategies that help you maintain focus, integrity, and resilience. Here’s how to navigate the challenges while prioritizing your well-being and professional growth:
Step 1: Observing Before Acting
When entering a challenging environment, take time to observe rather than acting immediately:
Identify Key Players: Pinpoint who holds influence and who might be susceptible to unhealthy dynamics.
Observe Communication Patterns: Note how information flows, who is “in the know,” and how the founder reacts to various voices.
Gauge the Influence of Underminers: Assess whether they are genuinely impacting decisions or if their influence is overstated.
This approach allows for informed entry without disrupting the existing dynamics.
Step 2: Building Alliances with Like-Minded Colleagues
In such environments, forming connections with grounded, ethical colleagues can provide stability:
Together you are stronger - build a network based on honesty, professionalism and trust
Seek Out Competent and Ethical Team Members: These individuals are often quietly focused and avoid stirring the pot.
Maintain Professional Boundaries: Keep camaraderie professional to prevent the appearance of divisiveness.
Collaborate on Projects: Build a reputation for constructive collaboration with these individuals, reinforcing your reliability.
Step 3: Managing Perceptions
In a workplace where perception is vital, manage how you are seen by others:
Stay Visible Without Self-Promotion: Ensure your contributions are noted by leadership while avoiding unnecessary self-promotion.
Avoid Gossip: Refrain from informal, negative conversations about colleagues.
Document Achievements and Interactions: Keep a record of work accomplishments and interactions with challenging individuals as a safeguard.
Step 4: Setting Boundaries for Well-being
Challenging workplaces can impact mental health. Setting clear boundaries can protect your well-being:
Limit Off-Hours Engagement: Avoid unnecessary work-related communications after hours.
Identify Personal “Red Flags”: Recognise signs of stress, like sleep issues or constant worry, and address them early.
Practice Emotional Detachment: Focusing on tasks rather than workplace dynamics can help maintain perspective.
Step 5: Trusting Your Instincts and Knowing When to Walk Away
Despite your best efforts to stay calm, focused, and professional, some work environments simply won’t change—and staying in them can take a toll on your long-term mental health.
Trust your instincts and choose what aligns with your well-being and career goals.
Tune into recurring feelings: Notice if you consistently feel drained, undervalued, or uneasy—your instincts often manifest in these repeated emotions.
Evaluate alignment with your values: Ask yourself if the environment supports your core values and long-term goals. If it doesn’t, it may be time to consider other options.
Assess the impact on your well-being: Reflect on how this environment affects your mental and emotional health.
Trust your gut and stay true to yourself
The ultimate test?
How do you feel on a Sunday night?
Sunday nights can feel energising and full of promise when you love your work and the people you’re with, setting you up for a productive week. But if the environment is negative and keeps you on edge, Sunday nights can bring trepidation and a sense of dread, reminding you just how off-balance things have become for you and work.
If the work aligns with your goals and energises you, it can feel motivating; but if it’s draining & fills you with dread, it may be a sign to reassess and start prioritising yourself.
Should I stay or should I go?
Trusting your instincts and choosing to move on can be one of the most powerful, healthiest decisions you make, so:
Stay True to Your Professional and Personal Well-being: Honour your mental health and career ambitions by prioritising environments that support both.
Evaluate the Impact on Your Growth: If the environment is limiting your professional development, listen to that inner voice nudging you toward new opportunities.
Consider the Emotional Toll: Chronic stress and strain can wear down even the most resilient individuals, so don’t ignore signs of burnout or emotional fatigue.
Trust Your Instincts: When the environment shows little sign of improvement, trust your instincts, stay true to yourself, and seek a setting that aligns with your values and supports your personal and professional health.
In the end, the decision to stay or leave should align with your values and career goals.
If you choose to stay:
Focus on managing perceptions, building alliances, and setting boundaries to maintain well-being.
If you choose to leave:
Remain positive and rest assured your integrity, authenticity & skills will find a place where they are valued!
Conclusion
Taking on a new role in an unstable corporate culture is a challenging but can be an enlightening experience. A work environment led by a visionary founder with inconsistent accountability may offer little support for personal growth and can impact mental health.
Remember; patience, positivity, integrity, and authenticity are your greatest assets, serving as a compass to help you navigate turbulent waters or guide you toward a more supportive professional path elsewhere, if necessary.
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