Being a leader is tough enough, but it’s downright demoralizing if you feel like you’re swimming upstream against the currents of a toxic workplace. If you want to stand apart and make a positive difference at work, it might seem like you’re living in this weird, misshapen house where some of the doorways don’t lead anywhere, a few of the rooms don’t connect to other rooms and... are those people actually using tin cans as a way to communicate from one floor to the other? Welcome to the Weird Work House.

Of course, finding a new job is an option, but perhaps there are reasons you want to stay put. Take heart: You can create a pocket of excellence in an otherwise unhealthy work environment.

When management unintentionally creates toxicity

Let’s face it: A lot of workplaces are dysfunctional, and some of them are downright toxic. Much of that dysfunction is a direct result of the company culture unintentionally created by leaders’ behaviors. Have you ever seen a vision statement in a company cafeteria that says, “We are an industry leader in dysfunction. Our employees are confused, distrustful, and disgusted. We’re losing customer loyalty and market share by double digits each year.”

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