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A few musings on the relationship between #toxicpositivity and #gaslighting: The 2 concepts are inextricably linked to one another. There is also an antidote to both! (a thread)
Toxic positivity refers to a rigid approach that believes that the only way to cope with a bad situation is to put a positive spin on it. Research suggests this comes from a tendency to undervalue negative experiences and overvalue positive ones. /1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/toxic-positivity-mental-health-covid/2020/08/19/5dff8d16-e0c8-11ea-8181-606e603bb1c4_story.html
Gaslighting is a form of manipulation focused on making someone doubt reality. Examples include coverups, actions that contradict words, or denying conversations ever happened. It makes people feel like they have to defend reality & erodes self esteem. /2 https://twitter.com/AlikaMD/status/1358135868515581954?s=20
Toxic positivity feeds gaslighting and gaslighting feeds toxic positivity. When members of a team are hurting, suggesting that the solution to their hurt lies in positive reframing can be profoundly invalidating and worsen morale. /3
One of the concepts in the literature that may serve as an antidote to both is the idea of #inclusiveleadership - We wrote about this in an article in CJPL. /4 @ManiateJ @RicharLisa @MKChan_RCPSC @CSPLeaders
https://cjpl.ca/sukhera.html
https://cjpl.ca/sukhera.html
We write, "It can be profoundly invalidating for others to be told to have gratitude or be kind when they might be struggling...Sometimes, the greatest challenge for a leader is to step back and simply emphasize that they are present." /5
Inclusive leaders should create mechanisms to ensure dialogue around while considering a wide range of possible solutions. They should ask if they are truly creating the kind of safety where diverse ideas can thrive. /END
