Brown Crayon in the Workplace

Workplace Collusion ▼

“Telling my story of what I experienced in the workplace.”

So much plotting and scheming goes on in the workplace, but is it collusion? Does your workplace have a culture of collision? Collusion is behavior we commonly associate with "fraud." Workplace collusion is fraudulent one is living a lie and supporting another to live his or her lie. Collusion is saying, "I'm going to let you behave the way you want or need to so I can feel good about our relationship even though I know my behavior and your behavior are unethical, inappropriate, self-destructive, and out of integrity." Collusion is about lying to protect our fragile egos. Most people come to a workplace to work, and not be exposed to harmful behaviors. While at work, a manager may choose to behave unethically or inappropriately because there is a tacit "unwritten rule" that such behavior is acceptable. This tacit agreement is known as collusion and often exists where there is a culture of collusion. Sometimes an individual will behave out of fear that behaving ethically or appropriately will result in some personal loss, loss of friendships, loss of prestige, loss of a bonus, or perhaps even the loss of their job. Collusion is like a drug. You need to lie more and more to support the false feeling of emotional safety. Colluding is exhausting, requiring an inordinate amount of physical, emotional and psychic energy, continually shoring up relationships that have no true foundation built on trust or truth. Many so-called leaders have an unhealthy interest in the outward trappings of their position. Truth-telling requires empathy, compassion, acceptance, and courage. Behaving appropriately is freeing - emotionally, physically, spiritually and psychologically. Behaving ethically and appropriately allows us to show up authentically, honestly and in integrity, and appropriately is the only way to experience true and real relationships with others.

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Pen Name: Brown Crayon (pseudonym)