As a business leader, have you ever sensed something is off with your team's performance, but you can’t quite pinpoint the cause? Maybe projects face unexpected hurdles, communication feels strained, or team morale is mysteriously low. These could be signs of a subtle yet damaging issue: silent undermining. This behaviour can corrode even the strongest teams and, if left unchecked, can have severe implications for your business.

What is silent undermining?

Silent undermining is a form of passive-aggressive behaviour that subtly sabotages another person's work, reputation, or credibility without overtly breaking any rules. Unlike more visible forms of workplace conflict, such as arguments or direct criticism, silent undermining operates under the radar, making it difficult to detect and address.

This can include behaviours like withholding information, failing to acknowledge someone’s contributions, gossiping behind their back, or making veiled, sarcastic comments that chip away at confidence. Essentially, it’s anything that creates obstacles or discomfort without directly attacking someone. The silent part comes from the fact that it’s not loud or obvious; it's subtle, and sometimes even disguised as helpfulness or concern.

Examples include:

• Withholding information: A team member "forgets" to share vital details, delaying a project.
• Backhanded compliments: Comments like, "I didn’t expect you to do such a great job on this," which might seem positive but are laced with hidden criticism.
• Credit stealing: Someone takes full credit for a team effort, leaving others feeling unappreciated.
• Subtle gossip: Conversations amongst team members that cast doubt on a colleague’s abilities or intentions, such as, "I’m not sure they’re cut out for this role, but we’ll see."
• Non-verbal cues: Eye-rolling during presentations to signal disapproval or mocking without words.

Each of these actions might seem minor in isolation, but collectively, they can create a toxic work environment that stifles collaboration and productivity.

Silent undermining and the company culture

As a business owner, it’s essential to recognize that silent undermining is not just about hurt feelings. Its effects can ripple through your organisation, undermining trust, creativity, and overall efficiency. Here are five ways it can negatively impact your company and spoiler alert, it’s not

1. Erodes trust: Trust is the foundation of any successful business. When team members don’t trust each other or their leaders, productivity suffers. Silent undermining creates an atmosphere of suspicion, leading to constant second-guessing and unnecessary stress. This distrust can slow down workflows, reduce efficiency, and ultimately affect your company’s performance.
   
   
2. Stifles Innovation: Innovation thrives in environments where employees feel safe sharing new ideas. When team members fear being subtly ridiculed or ignored, they’re less likely to contribute. Imagine an employee eager to pitch a groundbreaking idea, only to see colleagues rolling their eyes. This kind of behaviour can stifle creativity and innovation, leading to stagnation.
   
   
3. Increases Employee Turnover: Talented employees won’t stay in a toxic environment. Those who feel consistently undermined are more likely to become disengaged and will eventually seek opportunities elsewhere. High turnover is costly, not just in terms of recruitment expenses but also because of the loss of valuable institutional knowledge.
   
   
4. Lowers Team Morale: When team members feel undervalued or unsupported, it impacts the entire team. Energy levels drop, collaboration becomes more difficult, and individuals may start withdrawing or becoming defensive. This creates a vicious cycle that makes silent undermining more pervasive and harder to address.
   
   
5. Creates Inefficiencies: Silent undermining often leads to projects taking longer than they should. Delays caused by withheld information, lack of coordination, or passive resistance drain your business’s resources. The time, talent, and effort wasted in this way could be better spent driving your company’s growth and success.

How is this happening?

Silent undermining doesn’t happen in a vacuum. There are several root causes that contribute to this behaviour, and understanding them is key to addressing it.

1. Insecurity: Some people undermine others because they’re insecure about their own abilities. They see others as a threat, so they try to subtly bring them down to elevate themselves.
   
   
2. Lack of accountability: If there's no clear consequence for bad behaviour, it will persist. A workplace culture that fails to hold people accountable often fosters these destructive actions.
   
   
3. Poor communication: A lack of clear, open, and honest communication can lead to misunderstandings and subtle forms of sabotage. When people don’t know how to address conflicts directly and respectfully, they might resort to passive-aggressive tactics.
   
   
4. Power struggles: Sometimes, silent undermining is a way for individuals to assert control or dominance over a situation or group. It’s a way to “win” without openly confronting someone.

You can make change

The good news is that silent undermining can be addressed, but it requires proactive and intentional effort especially from leadership:

1. Promote open communication
Encourage a culture where people feel comfortable speaking up. This doesn’t mean inviting open conflict, but it does mean creating a safe space where team members can express concerns or ideas without fear of backlash. Regular check-ins, feedback sessions, and team-building activities can help as can training sessions on how to manage conflict and having difficult conversations.

2. Set clear expectations
Define acceptable and unacceptable behaviours in your workplace and ensure everyone is on the same page. If passive-aggressive comments or withholding information are seen as “just how things are,” then nothing will change.  Policies that outline behavioural expectations will definitely be of importance as silent undermining can be an element of bullying and should be deemed unacceptable.

3. Lead by example
Leaders set the tone for company culture. If you engage in or ignore silent undermining, it signals to the rest of the team that the behaviour is acceptable. Be transparent, supportive, and respectful, and act when you notice subtle sabotage. Address issues head-on to stop toxic behaviour before it escalates.

4. Encourage team collaboration over competition
Cultivate a sense of collaboration rather than rivalry among your teams. When people work together towards common goals, they’re less likely to undermine each other. Team-building exercises and collaborative projects can bridge gaps between individuals who may not always see eye to eye. Mutual respect should be a baseline expectation in every interaction.

5. Provide support for conflict resolution
Not everyone knows how to deal with conflict constructively. Offer training or resources on conflict resolution and effective communication. Sometimes, people engage in silent undermining simply because they don’t know how to address issues directly.

Silent undermining may be subtle, but its impact on your business can be significant. By eroding trust, choking innovation, and lowering team morale, it can drag down even the most promising companies. Fortunately, with awareness and a commitment to fostering a positive work environment, businesses can address and prevent this toxic conduct.

As a leader, your role is to create a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed. By promoting open communication, setting clear expectations, and providing the necessary support for conflict resolution, you can prevent silent undermining and build a more cohesive, productive team. So, keep an eye out for those subtle signs, and don’t be afraid to address them head-on.  If your business is struggling with internal conflicts or you'd like to proactively improve team dynamics, consider reaching out for professional support. The HR Staff n’ Stuff team is here to help you navigate these challenges and build a stronger, more harmonious workplace. Contact us today to discuss your business needs!