Trying to manage people in a hostile workplace is best done incrementally—one person at a time. Eventually, your followers will understand that taking responsibility for their own actions is not as scary as they thought.

Once a subordinate understands that you are willing to overlook his mistakes so long as he claims responsibility for his actions, he and the others watching this transaction are more likely to follow your lead in the future.

In a hostile setting, a subordinate may not know what success looks like, so you may have to “picture it” for him. Begin by describing what the situation looks like now. Make it clear that the current situation is unacceptable and that it must not continue as is. Help him to understand why and get him to accept the need for things to improve.

Finally, state your goals and tell him what he can expect from you when the goal is reached. And what will happen if he misses the mark.

As a manager, you are expected to produce results. Your biggest challenge in a hostile workplace is to produce results that are noticed and appreciated. In a floundering organization, success is not expected; so, don’t count on very much support in your search for excellence.

If you do manage to make a difference, make sure your co-workers know that it was you who did it. But don’t be surprised if few people notice or acknowledge your achievements. If you are new to the organization, listen to the war stories to see which side usually wins. Find out who the heroes and heroines are and learn how they claimed their fame. If what they’ve accomplished makes sense to you, then set your goals and get to work.

Three factors are key to maintaining a sense of personal worth in a hostile working environment:  

            (1) There must be opportunities for you to make a positive difference.

            (2) There must be opportunities for you to grow personally and develop professionally.

            (3) There must be opportunities for you to do things that others cannot or will not do.

If all three factors are present, you’ll find satisfaction in your job even if your co-workers continue to flail at you.

However, if these opportunities diminish in value or cease to inspire you, it is likely that you can do no more. In that case, your next move would be to update your résumé and plan a graceful exit.