Daniel Hartweg

Ever been told to “just try harder”?

“Be more positive.”

“Take initiative.”

But deep down… you know it’s not you that’s the problem.

Because no matter how capable, driven, or committed you are—
You can’t succeed in a system designed for burnout.

You can’t be a good employee in a toxic workplace that sets you up to fail.

Here’s why that truth matters—and what to do about it:

🔁 7 Red Flags That You're in a System, Not a Shortcoming

1️⃣ THE GOALPOSTS KEEP MOVING
↳ Expectations shift weekly. Wins are never enough.
↳ You’re chasing clarity, not just outcomes.
↳ That’s not growth—it’s manipulation.

2️⃣ YOU’RE PRAISED… UNTIL YOU HAVE A NEED
↳ Performers are celebrated—until they say “no,” set boundaries, or speak up.
↳ If support is conditional, the culture is broken.
↳ Consistency > conditional praise.

3️⃣ YOU’RE GIVEN ACCOUNTABILITY WITHOUT AUTHORITY
↳ Asked to lead, but not empowered.
↳ Responsible for results, but blocked from real decisions.
↳ That’s not ownership—it’s sabotage in a suit.

4️⃣ EVERYTHING IS “URGENT”
↳ No strategy. Just constant fire drills.
↳ You’re exhausted, not ineffective.
↳ Chaos isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a lack of leadership.

5️⃣ YOU’RE TREATED LIKE YOU’RE REPLACEABLE
↳ Told to be grateful. Reminded there’s always someone else.
↳ But loyalty isn’t built on fear—it’s built on mutual respect.
↳ Threats don’t inspire excellence. They breed silence.

6️⃣ THE PROBLEM IS ALWAYS YOU
↳ You’re too quiet. Too assertive. Too emotional. Too independent.
↳ In toxic cultures, the individual is blamed instead of the system being fixed.
↳ That’s gaslighting, not feedback.

7️⃣ YOU’RE GROWING… BUT ONLY IN RESILIENCE
↳ You’re becoming stronger—but not because of the job.
↳ You’re just surviving it.
↳ There’s a difference between growth and trauma.

Let’s be clear:
💡 Struggling in a broken system doesn’t mean you’re broken.
💡 Being exhausted by dysfunction doesn’t mean you’re weak.
💡 You can be high-performing and unsupported.

The best employees still fail in toxic environments.

Because success isn’t just about effort—it’s about environment.
🔥 Want to thrive? Prioritize alignment over approval.
🔥 Want to lead? Build systems that empower, not exhaust.
🔥 Want to heal? Stop blaming yourself for surviving a system that was never built for you.

You weren’t the problem.

The environment was.

➡ Which of these patterns have you experienced? What helped you break free?


📌 Looking to transform your Team into a High-Performing Unit? Contact me to discuss how I can support your team's growth and success.

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