Media Release-AMERICAN BUSINESS BATTLES THE ENEMY WITHIN

Media Release-Business
AMERICAN BUSINESS BATTLES THE ENEMY WITHIN 

How Toxic Workplaces are Destroying America’s Companies, and What Executives Must Do To Reverse the Trend 

While most observers blame the current struggles of America’s business community on external or unusual sources – war, terrorism, decreased consumer spending and a handful of corrupt CEOs – one author sees something entirely different.  According to Danna Beal, U.S. businesses are failing because of toxic workplace environments that make responding effectively to external challenges all but impossible. 

“Businesses are collapsing from within – not without,” Ms. Beal says.  “Our nation has been through challenges before, other wars, other recessions, other fears, but business has managed to pull through.  There’s something very different in play right now, and it threatens the future of our economy.” 

In her book The Tragedy in the Workplace, Ms. Beal describes the modern workplace as a scene of fear, mistrust, high drama and rampant egotism. “The average worker is scared silly right now,” she says. “They’re fearful of being laid off, they’re anxious about traveling, they’re worried about loved ones overseas.  And rather than responding in a humane fashion, business leaders are ignoring these concerns.  The result – the fears grow, workplace tension increases to a level of toxicity, businesses collapse from within and the whole cycle starts once again – getting bigger and bigger each time.”  

There is a ray of hope, however.  Ms. Beal notes that numerous businesses are waking up to internal threats and are taking action.  Ms. Beal has noticed a dramatic shift in the way top executives respond at her on-site training sessions and public speeches.  “Executives are bottom-line types.  In the past, when I’ve spoken about workplace conflict, dealing with egos, handling employee’s fears, leaders were aware of the environment but didn’t consider it a priority.  They were interested in increasing production and profits, and didn’t have time for what they considered ‘touchy-feely’ approaches,” she says.  “But recently, owners and leaders are discovering that the web of intertwined egos cannot be ignored.”  

What’s happened to cause the shift?  “Top executives are now just as scared as their employees.  They see that no one is safe in the current environment and, most importantly, they are beginning to be personally impacted by toxic workplaces.  You can’t shield yourself any longer.  As a result, they’re taking a personal stake in saving their companies by fixing what’s wrong within the workplace,” she says.  “This is an exceptionally important and exciting development, and it offers real hope for the future.” 

According to The Tragedy in the Workplace, toxic workplaces are the end result of gossip, back stabbing, cliques, fear, greed, power and ego. “Business leaders have two choices. They can recognize that the current workplace situation is unique in American history, and then take the steps needed to remedy the problem.  Or, they can ignore the cancer that’s growing within their companies and face the consequences.  That’s why I consider what’s happening to be a tragedy – it doesn’t have to be this way.  Workplaces can be repaired, and companies can thrive, even in tough times.  That obvious solutions are being ignored is, in fact, an absolute human tragedy.” 

According to the book, some of the healing steps business leaders can take include: 

 ·       Replacing fear with trust, integrity and compassion.
·        Understanding the source of ego dramas, and taking steps to unravel them.
·        Taking a hard look at their own egos and facing their part in the dysfunction.
·        Increasing personal responsibility for workers at every level.
·        Giving up the need to demonstrate power and superiority.
·       Identifying ego driven managers that drain resources and limit creativity.
·        Showing a public willingness to be wrong, and to listen to employees.
·        Taking aggressive steps to end cliques, office gossip and personal agendas.
·        Rewarding and creating opportunities for employee contributions and teamwork.
·        Establishing broad two-way employee/management communications systems, including the opportunity for    confidential expressions of concerns and fears. 

The Tragedy in the Workplace (Destiny Publications, $19.95 suggested retail price) is available at leading bookstores and online booksellers. And at Products Page

 Would you like to interview Ms. Beal about this vitally important topic?  Would you like to see a review copy of The Tragedy in the Workplace?  Call 425/467-8214 or e-mail danna@dannabeal.com 

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Workplace Expert Offers Tips to Those Trapped in Offices Filled With Fear, Conflict and Power Struggles

It’s a difficult time to be an employee at an American company.  Terrorism, war, corporate corruption and extensive layoffs have instilled an atmosphere of workplace anxiety that may be unrivaled in our history.  The result, according to consultant and author Danna Beal, is the phenomenon of the “toxic workplace” – offices filled with fear, insecurity, endless conflict and ego-driven battles.   

For the employee caught in the crossfire there’s another problem.  “Because of the poor economy, you can’t simply pack up and leave.  Jobs are precious so, if you want to keep paying the mortgage and the utilities, you’re all but forced to stay with your job.  It’s a rough situation for millions of people,” Ms. Beal says. 

In her book The Tragedy in the Workplace, Ms. Beal describes the modern workplace as a scene of fear, mistrust, high drama and rampant egotism. “The average worker is scared silly right now,” she says. “They’re fearful of being laid off, they’re anxious about traveling, they’re worried about loved ones overseas.  And rather than responding in a humane fashion, business leaders are ignoring these concerns.  The result – the fears grow, workplace tension increases to a level of toxicity, businesses collapse from within and the whole cycle starts once again – getting bigger and bigger each time.”  

Fortunately, says Ms. Beal, employees are not powerless to change the course of their company and to help create a sane workplace.   “Every person in the workplace is accountable.  No matter what your level, you can play a role in changing the corporate culture by taking responsibility for your own actions, and not simply playing a part in the toxic culture. By recognizing the source of office gossip, cliques, power struggles and ego battles, you can reclaim your authentic power and disengage from the drama. You’ll then have the moral ground and confidence to take a stand for cooperation and teamwork.  You’ll soon find that people will listen and respect your viewpoint.”

In The Tragedy in the Workplace, Ms. Beal offers detailed advice for those trapped in toxic workplaces.  A few of her main points include:
·        Don’t hold others responsible for your feelings, actions and circumstances.
·        Be willing to look at your part in the drama.
·        Don’t compare yourself with others.   
·        Don’t seek personal glory and approval from others.  Let your work speak for itself.
·        Don’t deny or repress your feelings and emotions but face your own inner fears. 
·        Find your inner strength and become a leader instead of a puppet in the drama.
·        Speak out about what’s wrong in your workplace; offer solutions to fix these problems.
·        Cultivate a rich external life. Don’t define yourself solely by what happens at work. 

“America is at a business crossroads, and the health of our economy may ultimately rest upon the health of our workplaces.  The message of my book is each of us can play a role in shaping a more positive future by our thoughts and deeds,” Ms. Beal says. 

The Tragedy in the Workplace (Destiny Publications, $19.95 suggested retail price) is available at leading bookstores at www.dannabeal.com.                                                         ____________________________________________________________________________________

1. __ True __ False   Gossip is an ordinary and accepted form of communication.

2. __ True __False    Management rarely appreciates or encourages new ideas.

3. __True __ False    There is an atmosphere of secrecy and hidden agendas.

4. __True __ False    Workaholism is not only accepted, but encouraged.

5. __True __ False    Competitiveness and power struggles are rampant.

6. __ True __ False    Individuals and departments protect their turf fiercely.

7. __ True __ False    Discrimination (sexual, racial, age, weight, etc.) is common.

8. __ True __ False    Lower-level workers walk on eggshells around management.

9. __ True __ False    Unethical and dishonest behaviors are occurring.

10.__True __ False    Work is not a pleasant and energizing place to be.

11.__ True __ False   Open and honest communication between lower and upper
                                  strata is nonexistent.
12.__ True __ False    White lies, petty theft, and workplace absences are common place.

Scoring:
Tally up the number of True answers. If your score is:
0 – 4 Let the show go on, but work on the rough areas.
5 – 8 This is not a healthy work environment. You organization needs training for a cultural change.
9 – 12 Your workplace story is a tragedy. It’s time for serious leadership training and organizational restoration.

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