What I’ve Learned About Operations, Leadership, and Surviving a Toxic Workplace
When I first stepped into operations and management, I thought it would be all about systems, strategy, and execution. And while those things matter, what I’ve really learned is that people and culture make or break everything. I’ve built checklists, trackers, and workflows that could run a business like a well-oiled machine—but none of it matters if the environment is toxic.
I’ve lived that reality.
Building Systems That No One Sees
Operations is often invisible work. It’s creating SOPs, timelines, and structures that no one thanks you for—because if you’ve done it right, it looks effortless. When things are running smoothly, people rarely stop to think why. But when the systems are missing, the whole team feels it.
I took pride in building those invisible backbones. They gave my team clarity, accountability, and direction. But what no system could fix was the lack of respect or the disregard for boundaries that I experienced in my workplace.
Being a Manager in the Middle
As a manager, I wasn’t just responsible for keeping the work moving—I was responsible for protecting my team. I listened when they were burned out. I advocated for clearer expectations. I stayed late when they felt overwhelmed so they wouldn’t feel alone.
But here’s the hard truth: when leadership doesn’t respect boundaries, it doesn’t matter how much you protect your team. The culture seeps in. And I learned that the example set at the top either empowers managers like me—or completely undermines us.
Constant Disrespect Is a Form of Toxicity
One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to live through is dealing with constant disrespect from a male co-worker. It wasn’t always loud or obvious—it was the daily digs, the dismissive tone, the refusal to acknowledge my authority even when I was the one keeping the operations running.
I managed over a hundred cases, supported multiple attorneys, and kept the entire machine moving, yet I was still treated like my work and my voice didn’t matter. Comments about being “disorganized”, being ignored when I gave input, being cut off in conversations—it wears on you.
Disrespect doesn’t have to come in the form of shouting or aggression. Sometimes it’s the quiet, constant erosion of your confidence. And in my case, it was tolerated. Leadership didn’t just fail to address it—they allowed it. That lack of accountability was the culture.
The Toll of No Boundaries
Toxic workplaces blur every line. Suddenly, 9-to-5 doesn’t exist. Weekends vanish. “Fires” are thrown at you without warning, and if you speak up about burnout, you’re told to “just handle it.”
I can’t count how many nights I stayed late, how many weekends I opened my laptop, or how many times I sacrificed time with my family to prove myself. And for what? To still be disrespected. To still hear jokes at my expense. To still be overlooked.
That’s when I learned: boundaries aren’t optional. They’re survival. If you don’t set them, no one will set them for you.
What I Carry Forward
Looking back, I see the lessons clearly:
Systems matter, but culture matters more.
Respect isn’t optional. A workplace that tolerates disrespect will eventually destroy its best people.
Boundaries are leadership. Protecting your time, your dignity, and your peace sets the standard for others to follow.
Toxic workplaces don’t define you. They expose themselves.
I’ve carried these lessons with me into every role and every project since. And while I wish I hadn’t experienced the weight of constant disrespect or the exhaustion of a boundary-less environment, I’m grateful for the clarity it gave me.
Because now I know: I’ll never accept it again. And I’ll build better, healthier spaces for the teams I lead in the future.
✨ If you’re in the middle of a toxic workplace, please know this: your worth is not measured by how much you can endure. It’s measured by the value you bring, the respect you deserve, and the boundaries you’re allowed to protect.
