How Busyness Fuels Toxic Workplaces

I’ve seen it too many times: workplaces where toxicity runs rampant, quietly eating away at morale, productivity, and even the bottom line. You know the signs—gossip that spreads like wildfire, negativity that hangs in the air, bullying that goes unchecked, and sometimes even outright hostility. It’s shocking how even tight-knit teams, the ones that feel like family, can hide deep-seated conflicts. Employees end up wasting hours each week dealing with this mess, and managers? They’re stuck spending a huge chunk of their time playing referee. But here’s a thought that’s been nagging at me: what if the real problem isn’t just the team or the environment—what if it’s us as leaders being too busy to fix it? 

I’ve come to believe that busyness is a leadership killer. We wear it like a medal, racing through packed schedules, endless emails, and back-to-back meetings. But all that hustle comes with a price. It pulls us away from what really matters—creating a workplace where people can thrive. In this piece, I want to unpack how our obsession with being busy feeds into toxic cultures, share some fresh thoughts on why it happens, and offer practical ways to break free from it. 

How Leaders Shape the Vibe—For Better or Worse 

Let’s be real: as leaders, we set the tone. Whether we mean to or not, how we act—or don’t act—shapes the way our teams function. When we focus on building trust, keeping lines of communication open, and holding people accountable, good things happen. Collaboration flows, and people feel supported. But when we’re too caught up in our own chaos to pay attention, cracks form. Small issues—like a snarky comment or a passive-aggressive email—get ignored and turn into big problems. Toxicity doesn’t just appear; it grows when we’re not looking.

Picture this: you’re slammed with deadlines and barely notice one team member subtly putting others down. You let it slide because you’re too swamped to deal with it. Next thing you know, that behavior’s contagious, and suddenly morale’s in the gutter. Our busyness doesn’t just keep us from fixing problems—it tells our teams that their struggles don’t matter. That’s when the downward spiral starts. 

Why Busyness Messes Us Up 

I’ve noticed leaders, myself included, fall into the same trap over and over. Busyness takes over, and we: 

• Chase fires instead of planning ahead: We’re so busy putting out urgent fires that we skip the big-picture stuff, like nurturing a solid culture. 

• Miss the warning signs: With no time to breathe, we don’t catch the early hints of trouble—think quiet resentment or cliques forming. 

• Set a bad example: When we’re always “on,” our teams think that’s the goal. They push themselves too hard, and burnout creeps in. 

  
  

It’s a cycle that feeds itself. When we’re too busy to tackle a toxic situation—like a negative team member—it festers. That creates more drama, more complaints, and guess what? More work for us. Before long, we’re drowning in the very problems we could’ve stopped if we’d just slowed down. 

Getting Out of the Busyness Rut 

I’ve learned the hard way that leadership isn’t about how much we do—it’s about what we focus on. Here’s how I think we can shift gears and build a better workplace: 

• Cut the clutter: I love using a simple grid to sort tasks—urgent versus important. Anything that doesn’t move the needle gets handed off or dropped. 

• Make time to think: I block out a half-hour each week just to step back and check in with myself. Am I leading, or just running in circles? 

• Really listen: Start doing quick one-on-ones with your team. Hearing what’s on their minds stops little issues from blowing up. 

• Say no like it’s your job: Get better at turning down meetings or tasks that don’t fit your priorities. It’s freeing. 

• Trust others to step up: Handing off work isn’t just about lightening your load—it gives your team a chance to own their piece of the puzzle. 

  
  

Slowing down lets you tune into what’s happening, catch problems early, and show my team what balance looks like. 

Five Ways to Turn Things Around 

If we want to ditch the toxicity, we’ve got to be intentional. Here’s what I’ve found works:

1. Check the pulse: Run quick, anonymous surveys every few months to see what’s brewing. Questions about trust and conflict will tell you where you stand. 

2. Nip it fast: The second you spot negativity or bullying, call it out. Clear rules and follow-through keep things in check. 

3. Keep the lines open: Start monthly team huddles where anyone can speak up. Acting on what you hear shows you’re serious about it. 

4. Walk the talk: Make a point to log off on time some days or skip the pointless email threads. It proves busyness isn’t the goal. 

5. Build tougher teams: Bring in some training on managing time and handling tough talks. It’s helped everyone stay steady without defaulting to chaos. 

   
   

Wrapping It Up 

Toxic workplaces don’t heal on their own, and when we’re too busy to step in, they get worse. But if we hit pause, pay attention, and act, we can turn it around. It’s not a quick fix—saying no and slowing down takes guts. Still, the reward is huge: a team that’s fired up, a workplace that feels good, and leadership that actually lasts. My challenge to everyone is simple: take 10 minutes today to think about how busy you are and what it’s doing to your people. It’s a small start that could change everything.