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A word that comes up a lot in career conversations is, unfortunately, “toxic.” The engineers I talk to will tell me that they are dealing with a toxic manager, a toxic teammate, or a toxic work culture. What to do if you find yourself in a toxic work environment?
Is it worth trying to improve things over time or should you just quit?
The sad truth is that in almost every case, the answer is to leave the toxic team as soon as possible. Here's why:
- If you're just starting out in your career, then frankly you don't have a lot of political power in the organization. Any arguments for changing team culture or addressing systemic problems will likely fall on deaf ears. You will end up frustrated and your efforts will be wasted.
- If you're older, you have some ability to improve team processes and relationships. However, if you are an Individual Member (IC), your options are still limited. There may be some “low hanging fruit” to offer in the form of quick improvements. A few thoughtful reviews can solve many problems. If you've done this and things still aren't improving, it may be time to leave.
- If you are part of senior management, you may have inherited a problem or maybe even been brought in to solve it. This is the rare time when you can look at a change scenario and fix a broken culture: you have both the context and the power to change the situation.
The world of technology is huge and getting bigger all the time. Don't waste your time on a bad team or a bad manager. Find another team, company, or start something on your own.
Engineers are often hesitant to leave a bad work environment because they are afraid or unsure about the process of looking for something new. This is a valid concern. However, inertia should not be the reason why you stay late at work. The best careers come from the excitement of actively choosing work rather than enduring toxicity.
Finally, it is worth noting that even in a toxic team there will still be smart and kind people. If you end up on a bad team, find people who fit your wavelength. This relationship will allow you to find new opportunities when you inevitably decide to leave!
—Rahul
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