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:
- Isolation prevails. People work in silos.
- CYB dominates. The first thing people think about when something goes wrong is how to cover their butts.
- Cherries stay at the top. Leaders delegate dirty work to everyone else.
- Gossip is endorsed. I’ll never forget a leader endorsing the practice backstabbing under the guise of confidentiality.
- Secrets abound. Organizations that need secrets have too many inequities.
- Politicians prevail. When brown-nosers, butt kissers, and credit-stealers prevail, self-serving and mediocrity wins.
- Developing people is inconvenient.
7 signs your culture is healthy:
- Team success trumps personal success. It’s time to leave if what’s best for the organization isn’t good for you too.
- Elephants dance. Healthy teams discuss tough issues with optimism, clarity, and kindness.
- Diversity abounds. Cross-functional teams and exploring different perspectives are normal.
- Open minds win. Teams committed to one solution can’t adapt as they go.
- Leaders lift others. The spotlight points to performance, not position.
- People know and respect each other’s strengths. Everyone needs to know the top three strengths of everyone on the team.
- 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?
