At work, toxic bosses, co-workers or clients can drive your brain into a stressed-out state, hurting your productivity and eroding your confidence, says Juliette Han, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist.
"Toxic behavior isn't limited to people who are intentionally hurtful or lashing out at you," she adds.
"People who gravitate towards drama or have a bad attitude about work can be just as bad for you."
The more time you spend with someone who is constantly worried about falling short or getting fired, Han warns, the more at-risk you are for absorbing their toxic behavior.
How to handle it: It's important to remember that your co-worker's victimhood mindset has nothing to do with you, Han says.
Persons:
Juliette Han, Han, stirrers, weren't
Organizations:
Harvard, Columbia Business School, Harvard Medical School