5 Steps for Shutting Down Workplace Negativity

Working with negative people is like running up a hill that never ends. It doesn’t take long for all those pessimistic attitudes to poison everyone. Ultimately, they bring down everyone’s motivation, productivity, and effectiveness. If you’re not careful, negativity and toxicity will not only pull you away from your own successes, but they’ll spill over into your personal life and health as well. 

The good news is there’s something you can do about it. Here are five strategies for dealing with negative people—increasing the positivity in the workplace and protecting your energy in the process. You can find more about dealing with negative co-workers and other toxic personalities in my book Wait, I’m Working With Who?!? 

1. Set clear boundaries. 

The first step to dealing with negative people is setting clear boundaries. Negative people will often bulldoze right through your personal space, taking up more than their fair share of your time. They also love to spew negativity when there’s an audience.  

The way to break these habits is by being clear with them what parts of your life they are allowed into. Block off times for work-only conversations. Excuse yourself when their conversations take a darker tone. This allows you to stay in control of the situation and your own sanity. 

2. Choose your battles wisely. 

There’s nothing wrong with being a good friend or offering an ear to vent to. However, you cannot fix every problem for every negative person you encounter. Most negative people have a long list of grievances, both big and small, and not all of them are your problem.  

Learn to pick and choose the battles you will actively take on. Is it worth it to waste energy debating about what they want for lunch, or are you there to offer support for a more serious issue? Learn to weigh the importance of a situation before you open your heart. Don’t let yourself become burned out trying to be all things for everyone. 

3. Create a positive inner circle. 

One of the most proactive things you can do to stay balanced in an environment where negative people are present is to actively choose to spend more time with positive people. Make a conscious effort to spend more time with friends, colleagues, and family who build you up and bring an atmosphere of support and optimism into your life. The best defense is to proactively schedule time with those who give you life, as their positive energy will serve as a protective bubble against negative ones. 

4. Tune out complaints. 

A good way to prevent negativity from taking over is to limit the amount of time you spend on it. If a negative person is complaining and not taking any real action to change their situation, make a conscious effort to disengage from the conversation. This doesn’t mean that you should neglect or ignore them, but you should not give a soapbox to someone who isn’t at least trying to find a solution. Pivot the conversation to one of productive problem-solving. If that doesn’t work, excuse yourself to spare yourself from more needless negativity. 

5. Practice inner positivity. 

In the end, your best weapon against negative people is strong positive energy within yourself. Don’t let the words or actions of other people take over and drain your energy. It doesn’t matter what situation you are in, always try to keep a positive attitude. This doesn’t mean lying to yourself and ignoring your problems. It just means taking control of your emotions in the face of difficulty. By building your own resilience and sense of optimism, you can continue on your way to success and personal well-being. 

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