The Dark Side of Positivity: How Forced Cheerfulness is Crushing Workplace Engagement and Productivity

These days, companies are almost obsessed with creating a happy work culture. "ahem!" I mean, let's be real—I speak to the topic  daily! 

But that's not what I am talking about here.

The truth is that leaders and managers often push for unyielding cheerfulness, encouraging employees to "look on the bright side" no matter the circumstances. While promoting optimism isn't inherently bad, there's a fine line between fostering a supportive environment and dismissing people's genuine concerns and feelings.

Enter: toxic positivity. 

Toxic positivity refers to overgeneralizing a happy, optimistic state across all situations, leading to the denial, minimization, and invalidation of the authentic human emotional experience. It sounds harmless in theory, but it can be insidious in practice. When an organization's culture enforces a facade of perpetual positivity, it can have detrimental effects on employee engagement, morale, and productivity.

From my discussions with corporate leaders, it's clear that this is crucial because it impacts the bottom line. 

"Ignoring employees' authentic emotions not only undermines trust but also hinders genuine communication. When people feel pressured to hide their true feelings, it creates a disconnect that stifles creativity and problem-solving."

Consider this: when you're encouraged (or forced) to maintain a positive attitude no matter what, where do your genuine feelings go? You might begin to bottle them up, out of fear of being labeled a difficult or negative person. Over time, this emotional suppression can lead to frustration, burnout, and disengagement from your work. 

The Cost of Toxic Positivity in the Workplace

Toxic positivity can undermine trust within teams. When employees perceive that their leaders or colleagues are not genuinely interested in their well-being but are instead pushing a superficial sense of cheerfulness, it can erode trust. This erosion of trust can weaken team cohesion and collaboration, making it difficult to achieve collective goals and maintain a supportive workplace culture.

Simply put, the cost to "pretending" everything is just hunkydory is high, just look at the data:

• 72% of workers feel less engaged when they are required to be overly positive
• 60% of employees think that toxic positivity reduces their overall productivity
• 45% of workers report that forced positivity negatively impacts their mental health
• 53% of workers say that a culture of forced positivity makes them less likely to share innovative ideas
• 49% of workers believe that mandatory positivity leads to burnout

When employees are pressured to "be happy" without genuinely feeling joy at work, isolation soon follows. They might start to think their negative emotions are abnormal or inappropriate, deepening their sense of isolation. All of this being a recipe for disaster.

What is the difference between genuine positivity and toxic positivity?

Genuine positivity acknowledges the full spectrum of human emotions. It allows room for the reality that not everything will be perfect, and that's okay. This kind of positivity emphasizes resilience and growth, encouraging you to learn from challenging experiences and feel all emotions, both good and bad. Genuine positivity recognizes that feeling down, anxious, or stressed is part of the human condition and supports working through these emotions rather than bypassing them. 

On the other hand, toxic positivity demands a constant facade of happiness and optimism regardless of the situation. This form of positivity minimizes and dismisses authentic emotions, effectively telling you that negative experiences are invalid or signs of personal failure. It's the well-meaning but harmful advice like, "Just stay positive!" or "Look on the bright side!" when you're expressing genuine distress. This insistence on perpetual cheerfulness can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and isolation, as it discourages open and honest communication about your struggles. 

Examples of toxic positivity include: 

• Oversimplifying complex feelings with stock phrases like "Good vibes only."
• Gaslighting by denying the validity of your emotions, for instance, saying "You're overreacting" when you express frustration or sadness.
• Minimizing difficult facts and feelings with statements like "It could be worse" or "At least it's not as bad as…".
• Imposing an optimistic narrative on a painful situation, such as saying "Everything happens for a reason" during times of significant loss or hardship.
• Feigning confidence or determination that's not supported by the reality of the situation.
• Appealing to vague sources of comfort or wisdom, like suggesting you "just pray about it" without addressing the tangible difficulties you're facing.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial for creating a workplace culture that genuinely supports and engages employees. Ignoring the downside and pushing for unrelenting positivity can backfire, leading to decreased morale and productivity. Acknowledging and addressing emotions authentically fosters a healthier, more supportive work environment.

How can a balance between positivity and realism improve workplace engagement?

Striking the right balance between positivity and realism is paramount in fostering an engaged and motivated workforce. When you foster an environment where employees feel their emotions are validated and understood, you cultivate a culture of trust and openness. This, in turn, enhances both productivity and morale. 

Grounded Positivity, as referred to by many experts, involves encouraging a realistic outlook that recognizes both achievements and challenges. Instead of glossing over difficulties with a veneer of forced cheerfulness, this approach advocates facing problems head-on and appreciating the effort it takes to overcome them. This builds resilience and a sense of accomplishment, which are key drivers of genuine workplace engagement. 

Imagine an employee who feels overwhelmed by a demanding project. If their emotions are dismissed with phrases like "stay positive" or "it could be worse," they may feel undervalued and misunderstood. On the other hand, acknowledging their stress and offering constructive support can empower them to tackle the issue more effectively. By validating their feelings, you lay the groundwork for open communication and mutual respect, essential ingredients for a thriving work environment. 

Moreover, incorporating realism doesn't mean you have to dwell on the negative. It means creating a space where both positive and negative experiences are acknowledged and discussed. This creates creative tension, a vital element for innovation and change. When people feel safe to voice concerns without fear of being shut down in the name of positivity, it leads to more innovative solutions and progress. 

Additionally, this balanced approach can significantly improve the customer experience. Employees who are allowed to express and process their real emotions are more likely to provide genuine and empathetic service, enhancing customer satisfaction. After all, an engaged and authentic workforce is the cornerstone of outstanding service. 

In summary, the magic happens when you strike a balance between positivity and realism. By embracing grounded positivity, you encourage a culture of honesty and growth. This not only boosts morale but also paves the way for enhanced productivity and innovation.

The greatest enemy of progress is not stagnation, but false progress. - Sydney J. Harris

Cheers to your genuine workplace happiness!

Terri-Ann Richards

Terri-Ann Richards is the founder of Lighthouse Leaders Group, a boutique leadership development coaching and workplace happiness training company. She is also a highly sought-after professional speaker.

With over two decades of diverse industry experience, Terri-Ann's unyielding commitment to understanding audiences is reflected in her personalized approach to every training session and keynote speech. She helps leaders and their teams develop the human skills required to both grow and navigate in our ever-changing environment.