Signs you work at a toxic company

Constant reorgs, fear-based management, and the slow creep of dysfunction. Here's how to recognize a toxic workplace before it burns you out.

👋 Hey, it’s Stephane. I share lessons, and stories from my journey to help you lead with confidence as an Engineering Manager. To accelerate your growth see: 50 Notion Templates | The EM’s Field Guide | CodeCrafters | Get Hired as an EM | 1:1 Coaching

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How do you feel about work on Wednesday?

Monday dread is normal from time to time. Everyone feels it, even people who love their jobs. But Wednesday? By then, you’ve hit your stride. The week is flowing. If you’re still dreading work on Wednesday, that’s not because you miss the weekend. That’s probably because of the job itself.

After years in engineering leadership, I’ve seen what makes the difference between healthy and toxic teams. The warning signs start small - a reorg here, some blame there. But they add up. And by the time you notice how bad things are, you’ve often already accepted behaviour that would have shocked you…