When Negativity Walks Into the Room

There’s a particular kind of weight in the room when a negative person enters it. You feel it in your shoulders, your gut, sometimes even in your breath. The tension is subtle at first, a sigh, a complaint, an eye-roll, but it builds. One person’s inner storm begins to soak everyone else.

We’ve all met someone like this. Maybe it’s a colleague who never has anything positive to say. A teammate who finds fault in every idea. Or that person who seems to feed off of drama and bring it wherever they go. And sure, people have bad days. But some people live in that space, make it their home, and, intentionally or not, invite others in.

One thing I’ve learned over the years, both in life and in work, is that the way people behave outwardly often says more about what’s going on inside them than it does about you or the situation. A person who constantly criticises may be deeply insecure. Someone who gossips might be feeling disconnected or unseen. Those who try to dim others’ lights often aren’t comfortable with their own.

Understanding this, doesn’t excuse bad behaviour, but it helps you not to absorb it. It reminds you that their storm is not your weather.

But even with all this awareness, it can still be hard to be around.

Now, here’s the hard part. Ideally, you’d bring up your concerns and management would handle it swiftly and compassionately. But what if they don’t? What if they choose silence, avoidance, or worse—enable the behaviour?

Many of us have been there. We know how lonely and frustrating that can feel. You question your professionalism, your resilience, even your perception of reality. You wonder if you’re being too sensitive. Too dramatic. Too anything.

You’re not.

Some environments just aren't psychologically safe. And sometimes, it’s not a reflection of your worth, but of how broken the systems (or leadership) around you might be.

If you can’t change them, and you can’t count on others to change them, what options do you have?

Here’s a few practical tips of what you can do to help yourself:

1. Set Emotional Boundaries (Internally) | You don’t always have the power to set physical boundaries in a workplace, but emotional ones? Those are yours to draw. You can decide how much energy you give their behaviour. You can observe without absorbing. You can remind yourself that their words or actions are not a measure of your value or competence.

2. Find or Create Pockets of Light | Negativity can feel all-consuming, but rarely is everyone negative. There are almost always kind people quietly doing their best. Gravitate toward them. Build your own micro-environment of support and safety. Even sharing a coffee with someone who listens without judgment can be healing.

3. Document When Needed | This part is less ideal, but practical. If the behaviour crosses into disrespect or toxicity that affects your work, start documenting. Not because you’re planning a revolution—but because it protects your peace and gives you something to lean on, should you ever decide to raise it formally.

4. Redirect Your Focus | In chaos, focus is a lifeline. Put energy into what you can control: your own work ethic, your boundaries, your joy. Let their negativity be background noise, not your main soundtrack.

5. Decide When Enough is Enough | Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is walk away. Not out of weakness, but strength. Because protecting your mental health is not optional—it’s essential. And if you’re spending more energy surviving a culture than growing in it, it might be time to go where you can thrive.

Negative people exist in every workplace, and in life. But they don't have to own the space you’re in. They reflect what’s going on inside them. You don’t have to mirror it. You can choose to respond with intention, with clarity and, most importantly, with care for your own wellbeing.

Because at the end of the day, the way you show up in the world matters. And the way you protect your peace? That matters, too.

‘Till next time…