New surveys are revealing a common issue with managers in the workplace and the impact it has on company culture as a whole.
Let’s be real — no matter how much we may enjoy our jobs, no work environment is ever completely perfect, right? We all have that one close colleague who we vent to when deadlines are looming or the online chat gets a bit tense.
And recent studies are shedding light on why it’s crucial not to stay overly positive every single moment, especially at work. It turns out that when managers ignore or ‘gloss over’ real issues, it can actually do more harm than good.
What Is ‘Glossing’?
The latest toxic trend creeping into workplaces, taking over from ‘busy bragging,’ is what’s now being called ‘glossing.’
As the name suggests, ‘glossing’ happens when a manager, employer, or someone higher up in the organization chooses to gloss over or ignore issues, preferring to focus only on the positives.
A study by Mark Murphy’s Company Leadership IQ surveyed 27,048 executives, managers, and employees and found that ‘only 15 percent of employees believe their organization always openly shares the challenges facing it,’ and ‘only 24 percent of people say their leader always encourages and recognizes suggestions for improvement.’
In another study by Science of People, ‘67.8 percent’ of participants reported experiencing ‘toxic positivity’ in just a single week.
And glossing can lead to some pretty damaging consequences.
The Effects of ‘Glossing’
Sure, a bit of positivity can sometimes be just what a team needs, but ‘glossing’ can leave employees feeling unheard, undervalued, and even disrespected. When real issues go unaddressed, they can quickly spiral, worsening over time.
Leena Rinne, Skillsoft’s Global Head of Coaching, explained to Business Insider that ‘leaders create culture.’ So if a manager brushes off concerns when an employee expresses strong feelings in a meeting, it signals to that employee, ‘that’s what we […] do here.’
Glossing over issues creates a communication gap between employees and management. If leaders avoid evaluating problems for better solutions, employees may feel less inclined to take risks and be innovative, Rinne notes.
It’s easy to see how this approach isn’t sustainable. Glossing over concerns can lead to a vicious cycle, where unresolved issues contribute to feelings of isolation, frustration, and even burnout. In the worst cases, overlooked employees might even consider leaving the company altogether.
So, if you’re a manager reading this and feel a bit of guilt creeping in, you may wonder: what can you do to stop glossing in the future and repair any previous damage it’s caused?
Solutions
First and foremost, start by acknowledging the issues. Be upfront that it’s a challenging time and that while it won’t last forever, it is difficult for everyone right now, as Rinne suggests.
Show appreciation for the team’s efforts and resilience, and work to foster a ‘subculture within the larger culture’ that encourages calm. Make sure everyone feels ‘seen, heard,’ and ‘focused’ on moving forward.
In other words, honesty really is the best policy here.
