We have all experienced negativity in our workplace more often than we realize. Negativity is inevitable; if you haven't experienced it yet, you are a rare breed. It has become a part of the work environment rather than a problem to be solved. Most negativity is the result of not being able to decide or not being recognized. Let's be clear: who doesn't need validation? We all do it, don't we? Lack of this often results in frustration which results in negativity. Gone are the days of gossip around the water cooler. After the digital boom, this negativity has spread online, making it difficult for people to hide behind screens. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Karyn Hall, PhD, in her blog post on PsychCentral, says that self-invalidation and invalidation by others make recovery from depression and anxiety particularly difficult. Some believe that invalidation contributes greatly to negativity. Often, negative people lower your morale with them. Fortunately, I experienced this early in my career and it was something I took with me as a learning experience. In 2012, I was interning at one of the big advertising agencies in Mumbai and I was obviously filled with excitement and thrill. All loaded up after my 4 years of undergrad, I was ready to start learning and working in this amazing place. However, the manager I reported to wasn't as enthusiastic about having me on board. As a newcomer to the industry, I was like a sponge, soaking up everything I could. The constant comments about my inexperience and youth filled me with negativity. Having just moved to Mumbai a month ago from a quiet little town in Goa, I was still catching up on big city life. Negativity at work has affected everything from engagement to productivity. No one likes working in a toxic work environment. Dealing with negativity can really be difficult, especially in a place where you're supposed to be creative and productive. It's often out of our control, so we need to learn how to deal with these situations, and there are several ways to get around them. Our reaction, which is often to see or experience negative or unfavorable behavior, is to do one of two things: ignore it or complain about it. These are natural reactions, but they are decidedly counterproductive. Conversely, invalidation is one of the most damaging forms of psychological abuse. According to Dr. Jamie Long, one of the four options we have when faced with any problematic situation is acceptance. Validation is a way of communicating acceptance of ourselves and others.