- Surviving and thriving in a hostile workplace environment
av Geoffrey Ndula
271
Corporate touts are leaders who use their position of power to dominate and manipulate others for their own benefit. These individuals can be found in any workplace, and their actions can have a profound impact on the overall culture of the organization. Matatu is a term commonly used in East Africa, particularly in Kenya, to refer to a type of public transportation vehicle. It typically refers to a small mini-bus or van that is used to transport passengers over short to medium distances, usually within a city or town. Matatus are known for their colourful designs and decorations, often featuring loud music and flashy lights. When it comes to the behaviour of Matatu touts in Kenyan public transport, there are similarities with toxic workplace cultures. Matatu touts often use aggressive and intimidating behaviours to get passengers to board their vehicles. They may engage in harassment, shouting, and even physical violence to secure passengers, often creating a hostile environment for passengers and other touts. The similarities between toxic workplace culture and Matatu tout behaviour highlight the need for a broader societal shift towards promoting a culture of respect, accountability, and positive leadership in all settings, including the workplace and public transportation. Both corporate touts and Matatu touts are driven by similar motivations such as the need to achieve success and a lack of accountability for their actions. They also tend to create an environment where aggressive behaviour and mistreatment of others is normalized and even rewarded. Corporate touts have been present in workplace environments for a long time, and their origins and evolution can be traced back to various factors. Some of the common factors that contribute to the rise of corporate touts include organizational culture, individual traits, and societal values. Organizational culture is a significant contributor to the rise of corporate touts. When a workplace culture values competition, aggression, and individual achievement over collaboration and teamwork, it creates an environment where toxic leaders can thrive. Corporate touts shape workplace culture in a number of ways. They create a culture of fear, in which employees feel that they must comply with the tout's demands or risk facing negative consequences. This can lead to a lack of innovation and creativity, as well as a high turnover rate as employees seek to escape the hostile environment.