My manager is the kind of person who makes decisions and then blames the team when they fail. Who takes credit for wins and distributes blame for losses. Who oscillates between excessive warmth and inexplicable coldness in ways that keep everyone anxious and off-balance.
I have been here two years. I cannot leave right now — financial commitments, visa status complications, a gap in income that I cannot afford. So I need to find a way to function and protect myself within a situation I cannot immediately exit.
I've tried grey rock (boring, minimal responses). I've tried documenting everything. I've set up good relationships with others in the organisation so I have context and allies. These help.
But the psychological weight of it is still significant. I come home depleted. The unpredictability creates a low-grade anxiety that follows me into my personal life.
For people who have managed within a difficult or toxic management situation while working on a long-term exit — what helped you maintain your sense of self and protect your mental health while you got into a position to leave?