Ostracism is defined as the exclusion from a social group that individuals face. It can be experienced when people are ignored, excluded, or rejected for various reasons such as race, gender, religion, age, disability, or socioeconomic status. Research has shown that this experience can have negative effects on an individual's psychological health and workplace performance. In a team setting, ostracism can also impact trust among members, leading to decreased collaboration and productivity. This article will explore how the experience of ostracism affects performance, wellbeing, and trust within a team.
Performance
When individuals are ostracized, they may feel alone and isolated, which can lead to reduced motivation and focus. They may struggle to perform their tasks effectively due to a lack of support and guidance from others.
Being excluded from important discussions or decisions can make them feel like they do not belong and negatively affect their job satisfaction. As a result, they may become more likely to leave the team, causing additional turnover costs for the organization. The experience of ostracism in teams has been linked to lower job satisfaction, lower performance ratings, and higher rates of burnout, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Wellbeing
The experience of ostracism can harm an individual's emotional and mental health, leading to increased feelings of loneliness, isolation, rejection, and self-doubt. It can also increase physiological responses such as heart rate and cortisol levels, indicating stress. Individuals who experience ostracism often report feeling helpless, hopeless, and powerless, leading to decreased resilience and self-esteem. These effects can persist even after the ostracism ends, making it difficult to recover and return to normal functioning.
Trust
Ostracism can also damage trust within a team by creating distrust among members. When one person is singled out and treated differently, other team members may question the fairness of the situation and begin to wonder if they will be next. This can cause tension and conflict within the group, leading to decreased communication and collaboration. Members may avoid working with the ostracized individual, further isolating them and reducing productivity.
When someone feels unsupported and alone, they are less likely to speak up and share ideas or concerns, reducing creativity and innovation.
This lack of openness and engagement can erode trust among all team members, negatively impacting morale and effectiveness.
The experience of ostracism can have significant consequences for individuals and teams. It can reduce performance, harm wellbeing, and damage trust among members. Organizations must work to prevent and address incidents of ostracism to maintain a positive and productive workplace culture. By recognizing the signs of exclusion and providing support to those affected, leaders can help individuals feel valued and empowered, improving overall team success.
How does the experience of ostracism affect performance, wellbeing, and trust within a team?
Ostracism is a powerful social force that can have profound effects on individuals' performance, wellbeing, and trust within a team. When someone is excluded from a group, they may feel isolated, rejected, and alone, leading to negative mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety (Côté et al. , 2017).