Last week, my posts focused on toxic masculinity and its detrimental effects on men, women, and workplace culture. But we didn’t discuss the significant impact on those who are complicit, often driven by fear or self-interest.
Complicity means being involved in or associated with a wrongful act, even if you’re not the direct perpetrator. It often manifests as passive knowledge, support, or encouragement of harmful behaviour.
When driven by fear, those who are complicit might justify their actions by claiming ignorance or shifting responsibility: “They aren’t in my team, so it’s not my place to intervene.” But these excuses do more than preserve a toxic culture; they allow it to thrive—especially when such excuses come from senior leaders.
Here’s the hard truth: complicity, even when driven by fear, does not provide the psychological safety one hopes for. In fact, it creates an endless cycle of self-victimisation. The complicit individual lives in constant anxiety, checking whether they’re still in favour with the toxic leaders. This need for reassurance fuels the toxic environment even further, giving it space to grow without challenge. Over time, this silences the voices of the true victims, creating an illusion of stability—until the inevitable breakdown happens.
Toxic leaders may see this as a victory in the short term, but the long-term consequences are far-reaching. When complicity goes unchecked, it eventually leads to a collapse in productivity, a halt in innovation, and a mass exodus of talent. By the time the toxic leadership realises there’s no one left to blame, it’s often too late to reverse the damage.
So, what can you do? Complicity is never a psychologically safe choice, but breaking free from it is the only way to create real change. Speak up. Address harmful behaviours early. Support a culture of openness and accountability. Change doesn’t happen when we stay silent—it happens when we challenge toxic norms and build environments where psychological safety thrives.
If you’re experiencing a toxic work environment or find yourself complicit out of fear or uncertainty, it’s time to prioritise your own well-being and growth. Let us help you with bespoke coaching that empowers you to break free from toxic patterns, build confidence, and regain control of your professional life. Together, we can help you develop the resilience and emotional intelligence needed to thrive, no matter the environment.
