Have you worked in a ‘blame culture’ environment?

Where, if things don’t get done, that’s you potentially “thrown under the bus”

Or if you’re in a position of influence, your name is also on the line if things don’t go as planned.

These scenarios are seriously anxiety-inducing!

The worst part is when some of the people who should be blamed blame others instead!

Toxic right?

Cause for blame culture?

Results!… Deliverables!

And if the results are not met, God help you!

Someone’s getting the brunt. Questions will start to get thrown:

• “What happened?”

• “Why wasn’t X done on time?”

• “Why didn’t anyone speak up?”

And you'd better be prepared to answer these questions, as it can cost you your job!

Our problem

At work, we neurodivergents (not all of us) may have the:

• People-pleasing

• “Nice guy”

• Conflict-avoidant demeanour

This was me early in my career, “grateful” for my job, also anxious and concerned whether I’m delivering well.

I have a suspicion that colleagues can sense this level of:

• Anxiety

• Impostor syndrome

In us, and I wonder if they play that against us in times of problems. (Just a thought, at least from my experience)

What’s helped me navigate this nonsense

i) Note-taking

One thing that has helped me navigate this blame culture is having a clear and big picture of the goal/deadline, and understanding the inputs from each individual.

Brainstorming helps me draw out the connections between roles, departments, and people.

This was never the case previously; I was only concerned about my input and no one else’s.

My motto is: “It’s my business”

So I’m constantly taking notes of my work, my projects, communications, and correspondences.

No worse feeling than when you can’t remember your thoughts and reason for why something didn’t go well when asked.

ii) Communicate

Confirm and clarify via email (good to get this documented) “If it’s not written, it didn’t happen”:

• What is expected

• When

And highlight:

• Any challenges you can think of

• Plans to resolve the challenges (if able)

Maybe I have PTSD from my early experience, but I don’t trust anyone in the blame culture environment.

I worked for a CFO who was under pressure and needed reports sent for review quickly.

• I stressed that the historic reports were not accurate and

• Refused to follow what was previously done, especially if I was going to be held accountable for it

They understood, and I somewhat earned their respect.

Final Thoughts

I’m aware this may not work for everyone. Our tolerance levels are different. Some may prefer to stay away from those environments, and that’s fine.

One has to do what’s best for them and roll with it.

I have a dyslexic friend who recently resigned from their senior investment banking role because the pressure and toxic blame games were just too much!

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Lastly,

Stay Different,

The AuDHD Exec

Disclaimer: I am not your psychiatrist, coach, doctor. Neurodiverse Diary does not provide medical services or professional counselling and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Everything I publish represents my opinions, experience, not advice.