The Power of Leveraging Positive Emotions

How does one manage a toxic environment and maintain positive emotions?
 

A toxic work environment can significantly affect one’s overall wellbeing, daily functioning, and ability to be fully present. Negative behaviours can drain emotional energy, narrow cognitive perspectives, and affect one’s sense of agency. Feeling in control of our actions and responses supports better mental health, strengthens motivation and builds personal resilience.
 

Leveraging positive emotions, while embellishing personal resilience and confidence, can help us remain effective, clear and stable. Developing greater awareness and acting with positive intention can support both personal integrity and professional performance.
 

Positive emotions can help to develop a psychological distance from toxic behaviour, allowing us to observe rather than absorb negativity. This can broaden our mental bandwidth, restore a sense of control, and shield us from the psychological impact of harmful behaviours.
 

Without this awareness, it is easy to fall into a constantly defensive mode and operate from a place of protection rather than leadership. Positive emotions can help interrupt this cycle of toxicity and allow us to respond with greater clarity and composure.
 

It is also important to maintain one’s identity and values despite toxic environmental pressures. Building resilience and confidence and strengthens our internal anchors, and help us recover more quickly after negative interactions. It also creates a buffer between the toxicity and one’s internal emotional state.
 

With greater clarity, we may begin to recognise toxic behaviour often reflects the limitations of others rather than our own shortcomings. Building confidence also helps set appropriate boundaries and remain stable, positive, resilient, and grounded when navigating difficult environments and interactions.
 

In-house counsel who are interested in joining the conversation or learning more about positive emotions, resilience, and confidence in navigating toxic environments are invited to attend the SCCA Wellbeing Wednesday Lunch Series on 19 August 2026, led by the SCCA Wellbeing Chapter.
 

Find out more and register now here. 
 

Written By: Geeta Thakerar, Chapter Lead of SCCA Wellbeing Chapter