Discover how toxic behaviors in the workplace resemble a barking dog syndrome.
The Barking Dog in the Office: Understanding and Addressing Toxic Workplace Behavior The Barking Dog in the Office: Understanding and Addressing Toxic Workplace Behavior By Desalegn Terecha Have you ever walked into an office where someone acts like a guard dog—barking, territorial, suspicious of every move you make? They may not growl, but their energy and behavior send a clear message: "Don't touch what’s mine." In many organizations, these "barking dogs" aren’t literal animals—but people. Colleagues who, due to insecurity or control issues, create a toxic atmosphere that makes others feel unsafe, unwelcome, or unworthy. In this article, we explore how to identify these traits, why they emerge, and how to transform the workplace into a healthier, more cooperative environment. Understanding the “Office Dog” Metaphor Let’s break it down: a territorial dog barks inside its owner’s compound not because there’s real danger, bu...