Doing Good Work in a Hard Environment

Every now and then I speak to People Leaders who struggle with something that I've personally seen in my past, and it's something I thought I might want to share on this Monday to help lift the spirits of anyone out there who needs to hear it...

There’s something almost tragic about wanting to do great work in a place that makes it hard to. Maybe yoou know the type of company... one where people are more focused on politics than progress, where “urgent” is code for “we didn’t plan,” or where genuine care is seen as weakness.

And yet, even there, !of course! you still want to make something good. Something you’re proud of.

Here are some pieces of advice I've shared in the past.

1. Redefine “Good Work”

When the environment is chaotic, you can’t always measure your output by the organisation’s metrics because they’re often broken. So, what may make sense is for you to start measuring against your own in addition to what your role expects... to help keep you focussed.
Did I make something that shows craft? Did I treat people well? Did I learn? Did I protect my integrity?

2. Create a Bubble of Quality

If you can’t change the whole system, try to build a small pocket where things work the way they should according to best practice.
Maybe that's as simple as a single doc that’s clear. A process that’s kind. A meeting that runs on time and with purpose. Remember, culture isn’t top-down. It’s local. It's what happens right in front of our desks (or on Slack!)
Even in dysfunction, you can create a small zone of clarity and consistency, and others will feel it too.

3. Focus on the Work, Not the Noise

Toxic environments often thrive on distraction. The gossip, the politics, the performative leadership. In my experiences in the past, the work is the only honest thing that you can truly control at times. So look for those opportunities and ease yourself into it.
Reflect each day on the things that are undeniably good — even if no one notices now, you’ll know and it has a positive impact on your mental health. Positive reflection on good work leaves residue. The question becomes: would you still do it, even if no one clapped?
The answer should be yes wherever possible.

4. Leave a Trace, Then Leave

This may be hard, but eventually, you’ll go. (Almost everyone does make the decision at some point, in every team)...
But before you do, make a plan to build and leave something behind that proves it was possible to do things better, something you can talk about in your future roles, a way to look at a problem (as difficult as it is) with a positive perspective of the challenge you overcame...
That’s how progress survives and helps you in your future career conversations.

Have you experienced work in a difficult environment? For those reading, what might you have shared to your past self like I am today?