7 Signs Your Culture is Toxic

Talent is defeated by toxic culture.

Healthy culture is never an accident. Toxic cultures are the result of ignorance, distraction and neglect.

• Ignorance of the importance of team dynamics.
• Distraction by focusing on problems and short-term metrics.
• Neglect because of failure to address destructive behaviors, poor communication, or misalignment.

7 Signs of Toxic Culture:

1. Isolation prevails. People work in silos.
2. CYB dominates. The first thing people think about when something goes wrong is how to cover their butts.
3. Cherries stay at the top. Leaders delegate dirty work to everyone else.
4. Gossip is endorsed. I’ll never forget a leader endorsing the practice backstabbing under the guise of confidentiality.
5. Secrets abound. Organizations that need secrets have too many inequities.
6. Politicians prevail. When brown-nosers, butt kissers, and credit-stealers prevail, self-serving and mediocrity wins.
7. Developing people is inconvenient.

7 signs your culture is healthy:

1. Team success trumps personal success. It’s time to leave if what’s best for the organization isn’t good for you too.
2. Elephants dance. Healthy teams discuss tough issues with optimism, clarity, and kindness.
3. Diversity abounds. Cross-functional teams and exploring different perspectives are normal.
4. Open minds win. Teams committed to one solution can’t adapt as they go.
5. Leaders lift others. The spotlight points to performance, not position.
6. People know and respect each other’s strengths. Everyone needs to know the top three strengths of everyone on the team.
7. Everyone knows what matters. Boldness requires confidence. Confidence is born in alignment with mission and vision.

Bonus: Forgiveness fuels innovation. Responsible mistakes are learning opportunities. Innovation requires failure.

Which sign of a toxic culture do you think is most destructive?

Which sign of a healthy DNA do you think is most powerful?