The expert gave advice to employees who faced a toxic manager.

Almost everyone has come across a boss at least once in their life, after talking with whom they give up. Some managers motivate and inspire, while others manipulate and make you doubt yourself. Valentina Kurenkova, GR Director of Netology, told Izvestia on April 15 how to distinguish demanding from toxic, what behavioral strategies to choose and how to recognize "red flags".

"If you constantly feel moral pressure from your superiors, and you don't have the strength to perform your immediate duties due to exhausting experiences, you are most likely faced with a toxic leader. When we say "toxic," we mean something destructive that hinders development and does not work for the good," she said.

According to her, the main difference between a toxic and demanding manager is that a toxic manager damages the psychological state of employees, while a demanding one motivates them to grow by giving honest and transparent feedback. Toxicity overlaps in many ways with narcissism and a sense of superiority. This is manifested, among other things, in the desire to assert oneself at the expense of subordinates.

"A toxic manager is a source of stress for employees. As a result, motivation disappears, health problems and self-doubt appear.

The complexity of the situation also lies in the fact that the same person can be regarded by subordinates both as toxic and as a completely normal person," Kurenkova said.

She clarified that toxic managers act differently on all employees. Some "emotional swings" at work allow them to develop stress tolerance, while others become insecure and burn out.

At the same time, the expert explained that a demanding manager is a professional who sets ambitious goals, clearly formulates tasks and supports subordinates in achieving them. He gives constructive criticism, and his focus is on results and team development. He may be strict, but his actions are always transparent and fair.

"The distinguishing features of a toxic leader are disrespect for subordinates, unpredictability, manipulation, and violation of boundaries. He can use humiliation, sarcasm, change the rules depending on his mood, not keep promises, give extracurricular assignments without approval," Kurenkova said.

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In her opinion, it is often possible to recognize a toxic leader even at the interview stage. It is necessary to pay attention to how politely and attentively he listens to the applicant, how he comments on the answers. Internal discomfort is the first signal. The expert recommended, if possible, to communicate with the staff. If they evade the question or directly express negativity, it is worth considering this.

"Record all interactions with a toxic supervisor. Mark all tasks, deadlines, and comments in writing. Avoid meetings in private. Set clear boundaries: identify what is unacceptable to you at work. Develop emotional intelligence and stress tolerance. Don't take aggression personally — it's often a projection of the manager's personal problems," she advised.

However, according to her, if it is scary or impossible to solve problems on your own, you should find support among colleagues. There is no need to get involved in the psychological games of the head. You should remain emotionally stable and polite.

"If you realize that you can no longer work with such a leader, try to find a new company or change your profession — learn new professional skills in order to have a wider choice in the labor market," Kurenkova recommended.

The expert stressed that some of the manager's actions cannot be tolerated. Any kind of violence is unacceptable. Any discrimination is a violation of the law. A systematic violation of an employment contract is a reason for an official complaint.

"Working with a toxic supervisor is a challenge, but it's also an opportunity to improve stress tolerance skills. However, it is important to set clear personal boundaries. No career in a company is worth a ruined psyche and self-esteem. If you encounter unacceptable behavior, document it, talk about the problem, or change the company," she concluded.

Earlier, on March 31, it was reported that more than half of Russians (56%) feel signs of burnout or depression at work. This is stated in the results of a survey of analysts of the Kontur communications service.A lot of sense." At the same time, 20% of respondents think that a psychologist could help them cope with a difficult moral state.