Ok, everyone probably likes a small amount of drama here and there, because it spices things up a little. But when drama is the main ingredient in your workplace culture, your recipe is going to end up very unappetizing. Why do some people thrive on drama and others run from it? What causes drama to bubble up at work? If you can’t stand drama and it’s driving you crazy, what can you do about it? Read on my friend!
Causes of Workplace Drama
It all starts with leadership. If you have a strong, authentic, approachable and serious leader, chances are drama isn’t taking over your workplace. On the other hand, if your leader is insincere, weak, and indifferent, you may have a big drama problem on your hands. Employees will be energized by real leadership and demoralized by poor leadership and under that kind of leadership, the door is left wide open for drama and conflict.
(NOTE: For more on Workplace Culture, please take a moment and check out Collins Learning. We have the corporate solution to training and education for your entire staff and company.)
Another source of drama comes from a culture of unaccountability. When employees don’t own their mistakes or missteps, others will talk. Being honest and open when one makes a mistake is the best approach to accountability. We all make mistakes and we also fail to anticipate problems in the workplace. Saying “I’m sorry”, or offering the truth about what happened can go a long way in eliminating drama. Being inauthentic also breeds mistrust and this will only add to the already existing problem of drama in the workplace.
Mediocrity is not a great goal to shoot for in any business, but especially in healthcare. Would you accept so-so care? How about less than average medical treatment? I think not! Being mediocre and complicit in the workplace also breeds drama. It’s easy to blame mediocre employees for almost anything. The same goes for leaders. Finger pointing and the blame game only fuel drama.
Division among employees, departments or levels of management and leadership are very natural grounds for drama to grow. Instead of taking a stand that “we are all on the same team”, employees and managers might divide themselves into the old us versus them mentality. It is easy to play the blame game here as well and drama loves divided employees.
What Can be Done?
Drama has many more sources than I just listed above, but what’s more important is how can you decrease and eliminate drama from your workplace? A great place to start is to act like an adult instead of a child or teenager. Great businesses need mature professionals who act appropriately and seriously. Adults don’t vent at the office or in the facility. They wait until after work and then confide in a close friend or colleague. Smart and mature adults don’t blabber things out of their mouths first and then think later. They do it the other way around. Stop, think, respond. Professionals also know when it’s time to stop things and talk about issues and problems. They don’t let it build up and fester. One last thing that mature professionals do is never assume negative intent.
Develop Team Agreements
One method of either eliminating or reducing drama in the workplace is to create and implement a team agreement or pact. It’s based on personal and team accountability and everyone shares in the work, accountability, responsibility and failure when things go wrong.
Employees should know their roles and obligations. They should monitor their own behavior. Everything they do should enhance the team, not bring it down. The focus is always on quality. Employees need to be consistent and supportive to one another.
They should learn to attack problems, not each other. Open up and actively listen to each other. Maintain a winning mindset. Show up on time and be fully present. Take some calculated risks and be committed to getting things done without judgment.
Final Words on Drama Among Your Employees
What is your workplace like? Is it a drama-free area or are employees drowning in trash-talk, rumors, negativity, gossip, cliques and popularity contests? Is it a place where mature healthcare professionals work or where high school kids are playing at being adults? Drama is negative energy and it will attract negative people and build until it becomes an element of your workplace culture. Stop it before it begins. End it if it already exists. Be the “No Drama” professional that everyone needs.
(NOTE: For more on Workplace Culture, please take a moment and check out Collins Learning. We have the corporate solution to training and education for your entire staff and company.)