The air is crisp, the pumpkins are glowing, and the faint scent of pumpkin spice (yes, I admit, I enjoy it) mixes with the thrilling promise of costumes and candy. It’s October 31st, and my Halloween this year was, frankly, epic. My incredible chosen work family embraced the spooky spirit with a gusto that warmed my heart, transforming our daily grind into a week of delightful, spirited chaos. We dressed up, we laughed, we genuinely had fun. More than that, we successfully run three hotels, teeming with guests, all managed by a team of people who not only excel at their jobs but actually seem to like being around each other. It’s a testament to a healthy work environment, a genuinely joyful energy.
And that positive current, that sense of camaraderie and shared purpose, inevitably brings me to today’s topic, one that always gets my internal compass spinning with a mix of dry humor, exasperation, and a little bit of salt: “Monsters Are Fictional—But Bad Bosses Are Real.” Because while we’re all celebrating ghosts and goblins tonight, the truly terrifying specters often reside not in haunted houses, but in toxic workplaces.
The True Horrors: When Bad Leadership Turns the Office into a Haunted House
Having spent a lifetime in various professional environments, from healthcare’s high-stakes medical dramas to hospitality’s often-demanding customer service front lines, I’ve seen my share of “monsters.” And I can tell you, the most soul-sucking, joy-draining entities are rarely the overt villains of a spooky tale. They’re the bad bosses.
The contrast between my current thriving team and some of my past professional experiences is stark. We’ve all encountered them: the micromanagers who suffocate initiative, the credit-takers who steal your shine, the emotional vampires who drain your energy, the bullies who thrive on intimidation, or the simply incompetent who create chaos through sheer ineptitude. They turn the everyday workplace into a psychological haunted house, where every interaction is laced with anxiety and genuine “fun” is as rare as a unicorn sighting.
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Toxic Workplace Culture: Under bad leadership, a workplace can devolve into a landscape of fear, backstabbing, and low morale. Trust erodes, communication breaks down, and resentment festers. Employees become disengaged, productivity plummets, and the best talent flees. It’s an environment where the constant atmospheric pressure is so heavy, it stifles any creative spark.
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Corporate Phoniness: This is a particular pet peeve. The endless corporate buzzwords (“synergy,” “disruptor,” “impactful” – words I’ve publicly campaigned to retire!), the performative “team-building” exercises that everyone dreads, the hollow pronouncements about “valuing employees” that are contradicted by every action. It’s a façade, a cheap costume that fails to hide the monstrous reality beneath. This phoniness is deeply corrosive, breeding cynicism and distrust.
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‘Fun’ as a Mandate (or an Absence): True fun at work is organic. It emerges from shared purpose, mutual respect, and genuine camaraderie. Under bad leadership, “fun” is often a forced, performative mandate – the awkward office party where everyone is secretly counting down the minutes, or the condescending “employee appreciation” pizza party that feels more like a slap in the face. Or, more frequently, “fun” is just completely absent, replaced by relentless pressure and a pervasive sense of dread.
My Leadership Philosophy: Not Superman, But Focused on Protecting What Matters
I’m certainly no Superman, flying in to save the day with superhuman strength and x-ray vision. I make mistakes, I face challenges, and I’m still learning every single day. But my experiences, particularly the painful lessons from past toxic environments and the profound shifts catalyzed by my cancer journey, have fundamentally shaped my leadership philosophy. I strive to be the kind of leader I wished I had always had – one who fosters an environment where my team can truly thrive, where their efforts are valued, and where their well-being is a priority.
And, if I’m being honest, there’s another, very personal, guiding star in my professional orbit now. I may not be Superman, but I have found someone worth protecting: Matthew. The joy and profound connection he brings to my personal life, the sheer clarity and hope he represents, reinforce my commitment to cultivating positive, healthy environments everywhere else. When your personal life is filled with genuine happiness, it only strengthens your resolve to combat the monsters in the workplace, ensuring that the atmosphere around you is one of respect and light.
They say I’m a good leader, but I pay them to say it. In reality, I truly believe good leadership is fundamentally about:
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Authenticity and Transparency: Leading with honesty, even when it’s difficult. Being transparent about challenges, celebrating successes genuinely, and building trust through consistent, authentic behavior.
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Empowerment, Not Micromanagement: Giving your team the tools, the trust, and the autonomy to excel. Stepping back and allowing them to take ownership, learn from mistakes, and shine. A true leader creates space for others to thrive, rather than stifling their growth.
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Empathy and Human Connection: Recognizing that your team members are human beings with lives, struggles, and aspirations beyond their job descriptions. Understanding that treating them with dignity, respect, and compassion is not a weakness; it’s the strongest foundation for loyalty and productivity. My RN background made this a core tenet for me.
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Cultivating a Positive Culture: Actively working to build a workplace where people feel safe, valued, heard, and genuinely happy. Where humor is encouraged, collaboration is celebrated, and “fun” is organic, not mandated. Where every individual contributes to the overall positive atmospheric pressure.
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Problem-Solving, Not Blame-Shifting: When issues arise, focusing on solutions rather than assigning blame. Supporting your team, learning from setbacks, and moving forward constructively.
This Halloween, as we enjoy the fictional scares, let’s also shine a light on the very real monsters that exist in workplaces across the globe. Let’s refuse to normalize toxic behavior and instead, demand leadership that elevates, empowers, and genuinely cares. My team is amazing, and I am incredibly proud of the positive atmosphere we’ve cultivated together. It’s a testament to the fact that with the right leadership, a workplace can be a beacon of collaboration and joy, not a haunted house.
What’s the scariest “monster” you’ve encountered in a workplace? What qualities define truly great leadership for you? Share your thoughts below – let’s unmask these real-life horrors and advocate for better workplaces!