Toxic female trend in the workplace that needs to stop

As a high-performance coach and organizational psychologist, I’ve seen all kinds of workplace dynamics.But one of the most unsettling is successful women tearing down other women.It’s corrosive, often subtle, and incredibly damaging.

Ask women who’ve been on the receiving end of female bullying how it felt, and the response is often the same – “sucker punched”, “blindsided” and “sideswiped”.They never saw it coming.Toxic friendships, particularly between women, are more common than we realize.And here’s the kicker – when female friendships go south, they often come with emotional complexities that make them harder to escape.

That’s because we’re wired for connection.We expect kindness and camaraderie from other women.So, when betrayal creeps in, it feels worse than when it comes from, say, an acquaintance or even a romantic partner.

The emotional toll runs deep because we don’t expect it from another woman – we’re sisters after all.So why is it that sisterhood can sour so quickly? Anthropologists and psychologists have long studied female relational aggression, and some research suggests that competition among women can be traced back to evolutionary instincts, territorial disputes, social hierarchy struggles, and even subtle forms of sabotage.Regardless of whether the toxicity stems from deep evolutionary instincts or just personal baggage, staying in a harmful friendship isn’t recommended – it’s harmful.If you’ve reached the point where the relationship is taking more than it’s giving, it’s time to step back.

Here’s how:• Acknowledge the reality – If a friendship consistently leaves you feeling stressed or drained, that’s a sign it’s no longer serving you.If it’s a workplace situation don’t explain what’s happening away.

Face what’s going on.Identify the type of toxicity it is – are they being disrespectful or something more sinister like frequent and repetitive bullying?• Choose your...