How to convert tasks, targets, toxicity, and challenges into opportunities at the workplace

                                            Photo by Gyan Shahane on Unsplash

Hi there, how have you been holding up this period? Today vintagefingerz.blogspot.com will be addressing the complaints that have been making rounds as to managing a toxic work environment, challenges, tasks, and making the best out of these complexities regardless.

One way or the other, we all have to deal with toxicity at the workplace, yes? Either with our colleagues (mostly), the Team lead, and sometimes our boss. Now the question resonates; is toxicity a good thing, or why is it common in the work environment?

Toxicity is simply the act of being toxic or poisonous. It can also be seen as the quality of being harmful or unpleasant in a pervasive or insidious way. With the above definition, you now know that toxicity is a “bad” thing. The question of why it is common in the work environment is interesting and it will be a delight to further have this conversation with you.

It is important to note that in a work environment, there are various kinds of people from which we shall be discussing four kinds. Are you ready?

1.       People Pleasers: These are colleagues or people within the workspace who seek the validation of others. They are known to be really high on humanness and really low on courage. They tend to take things personally, especially when confronted.

2.       Agitators: These sets of persons are very confident and competent but there’s a missing link, and that is “connection”. They are high on courage but low on humanness.

3.       Apathy & Toxicity: These set of people are in the “red zone”. You shouldn’t neglect or ridicule them, it’s recommended that you should be cautious around them. They are low on humanness and low on courage. These sets or persons can gossip “for Africa” like literarily dragging you under the bus when they are not having it.

4.       Partners: These persons are high on humanness and also high on courage. They know what they want, and they communicate better, when and where necessary. They pick no offense when corrected because they have one thing at the back of their minds, and that is, getting better.

Note that the above kinds of people around our workspace cut across all levels (top, middle, and operations levels).

With the above foundation already established, I know you can’t wait to get hold of the tip on How to convert tasks, targets, and challenges into opportunities at the workplace.

Let me share a brief story of my service year in Benin City. My PPA is actually a cool place to want to serve when viewed from a distance but getting into the system approaches you with all forms of toxic people like what we had discussed above.

READ ALSO: A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Wondering how I coped with such an environment?

At first, it looked difficult because here was a young man who wanted to be better for himself, at what he does, and to add value to the organization’s brand, but then we have toxic folks everywhere, right from the receptionist to the board members.

Having the mind of Christ in me was really of great help as meditating on God’s word according to Daniel 1:8, encouraged me, and thus, applicable wisdom was received. With that said, always learn a required or trending skill besides what you studied in school, in other words, gather experience. I was attached to the accounting unit of this organization but showcased my IT skills which to a large extent distinguished me from others. Once you become a value adder to any organization, guess what?

Everyone pays attention to you because they identify with what you bring to the table which they would rather have, to somewhat show that at least as an organization, they are making progress.

Can challenges be converted into opportunities?

Here are 5 steps to turn challenges, and tasks into opportunities at the workplace according to hove.com:

1. Choose a goal and determine why you want to achieve it

“To excel, always focus on one goal at a time because your brain likes simplicity and clarity,” according to Chong. So even if you’re facing what seems to be a mountain of problems, pick one objective that would feel like a win, something that would have a positive ripple effect on other aspects of the situation. Then, determine why it matters and why you want to achieve it, as this thought process will not only help you prioritize the right goal but also fuel a powerful determination to make it happen.

2. List everything that needs to happen

Then, list everything that needs to happen for your goal to come to completion. From tasks to stakeholders, you want to be involved, “leave no stones unturned so you can consciously put things in order of priority and importance,” recommends Chong.

3. Brainstorm and anticipate all possible obstacles

Now that you’ve brainstormed relevant sub-goals and action items to map out the road to achieving your ultimate goal, anticipating all possible obstacles is a necessary step. “Get ultra-clear about all possible obstacles. This will remove confusion, overwhelm, and procrastination,” says Chong.

4. Turn all the obstacles into strategies

Here’s where you turn hardship into gold. Take your list of obstacles and turn them into strategies to reach your goal. For example, if your goal is to reach a sales target, and you’ve identified a lack of hot leads as a current obstacle, you can come up with a strategy that will turn warm leads into hot ones. Once you’ve identified your strategy, turn it into a measurable objective.

5. Execute from a place of abundance and joy

Finally, it’s time for execution. As you lead your team through the strategic and operational process required to carry out your goal, be intentional about the journey and how you get things done. Chong explains this as “executing from a place of abundance and joy,” which is the opposite of stressing your reports out by projecting the pressure you feel onto them.

Yay! We are done, I hope these self-DIYs are helpful?

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