Identity, Career and Toxic Positivity
During an episode for the Latinx in Power, a podcast that seeks to demystify the tech world by engaging in insightful conversations with Latinx and Caribbean leaders worldwide. Simone Lima 🇧🇷 (she/her), a podcast creator and a problem solver with a global perspective shared her career journey, discussed her research on toxic positivity in the workplace.
During this conversation, Simone highlighted the spontaneity and openness about feelings ingrained in Latin American culture, influencing her research on openly discussing emotions in the workplace. Learning Spanish became a deliberate effort to enhance her sense of connection and identity.
Simone’s career journey has been nonlinear, evolving from journalism to international relations in Brazil. Her pursuit of social impact led her to international organizations, including the UN. However, the fast-paced environment of startups eventually captured her interest, leading her through various roles before finding her call in product management.
Understanding Toxic Positivity
Simone defined toxic positivity as a technique to suppress emotions that inevitably surface in the workplace. She emphasized its detrimental impact on employee well-being, leading to burnout, absenteeism, and turnover. Simone illustrated how dismissing employees’ feelings can result in them carrying the mental load outside of work hours, affecting their overall health and job performance.
Signs and Coping Mechanisms
Identifying toxic positivity can be challenging from an external perspective, but Simone suggested key indicators such as resistance to discussions about feelings or lack of support for mental health. Coping mechanisms include short-term practices like meditation and breathing exercises for immediate relief, while deeper understanding of emotions and assertiveness are crucial for long-term sustainability.
Intersection with Mental Health and Burnout
The episode highlighted the interconnectedness of toxic positivity with mental health and burnout. Simone emphasized the importance of addressing emotions within work hours to prevent long-term consequences. She discussed the role of Employee Support Groups (ESGs) in fostering conversations about toxic positivity and creating emotionally supportive work environments.
Valuable Resources
Simone recommended Simone Stolzoff’s book, “The Good Enough Job,” which challenges common myths about work, prompting a reevaluation of the role of work in life. She also recommended the YouTube channel “The Financial Diet” for insights into money management and broader perspectives beyond the professional sphere.
Looking Ahead
Simone’s insights serve as a valuable resource for individuals navigating the challenges of the modern workplace, encouraging a holistic approach to well-being. Don’t forget to check her limited series podcast, Positively Exhausted — Stories of Toxic Positivity in the Workplace:
Additional Reading
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