How Can Leaders Fix a Toxic Culture in the Workplace?

Toxic workplace culture affects employee well-being and productivity. Learn how leaders can identify, address, and fix a toxic culture for a healthier work environment.

A toxic work culture can harm individuals and prevent teams from expanding. It can cause stress, poor collaboration, and individuals leaving the business. A majority of employees today claim to have encountered a toxic workplace, with gossip, disrespect, or a lack of fairness. This has an impact on both the employees and the company. But here is the silver lining: leaders can change it. With proper measures, any work environment can change from toxic to healthy. In this blog, we will identify the signs of a toxic work environment culture and how leaders can mend it.

What is a toxic workplace culture?

A toxic work culture is an environment that makes employees feel negative. The employees feel neither safe, nor heard, nor respected. There is often bullying, favouritism, a lack of trust, and ineffective communication in such work environments. The employees in this type of environment feel stressed and miserable.

Signs of a toxic workplace environment

These are some of the usual signs of a toxic workplace:

• Poor communication: Individuals are excluded from crucial conversations or don't receive clear messages.
• No teamwork: Team members don't assist one another.
• Blame game: Individuals are afraid of committing errors since others always blame them.
• Favouritism: Certain employees are treated differently, regardless of their performance.
• Lack of respect: Individuals yell, gossip, or act rudely.
• No growth: Employees don't receive opportunities to learn or develop in their profession.

Also read: What will it take to end bias in the office?

Steps leaders can take to repair a toxic culture

Listen to your team

The initial step is to ask your team how they feel. Do they feel respected and safe? Leaders need to create a space where people can talk openly. This can be achieved through team discussions, surveys, or one-on-one conversations.

Lead by example

Leaders have to lead by example. If you wish for respect and kindness in the workplace, you have to demonstrate it yourself. Appreciate good work, own up to mistakes, and assist others. When leaders behave with care, the team will emulate them.

Establish clear rules

Make it clear what behaviour is acceptable and what isn't. Write these rules down if necessary. For instance, no gossiping, yelling, or bullying. If a person violates the rules, act quickly. This indicates that the company is serious about respect.

Support mental health

Working in a toxic workplace can damage mental health. Leaders need to assist all team members. This could include access to a counsellor, mental health days, or flexible work arrangements. Even a minor adjustment, such as checking in with team members, can have a huge impact.

Reward good behaviour

When a colleague assists a fellow team member or fixes an issue, don't miss it. Say it out loud or provide a small reward. This will reinforce more positive behaviour and create a good work culture.

Train managers and team leads

At times, a toxic atmosphere begins with bad leadership. Managers might not even know their behaviour is harming others. Provide people managers with training on how to lead with compassion, handle stress, and communicate effectively.

Also read: How does workplace satisfaction impact job satisfaction for an employee?

Enhance workspaces

The workspace itself also counts. Dim, noisy, or cluttered offices can raise stress levels. A tidy, well-lit, and calm environment enables individuals to think clearly and perform better.

Conclusion

Addressing a toxic company culture isn't merely a question of improved leadership or rules. The environment that people work in also matters greatly. WeWork workspaces provide attractively designed, adaptable offices that encourage collaboration, comfort, and creativity. Their common areas are designed to foster both individual concentration and collaboration. Good culture starts in a good space; make that change today.

FAQs

What is a toxic work culture?

A bad work culture is when individuals at work are rude, mean, unfair, or stressed all the time. It makes everyone feel terrible and not want to come to work.

How can a leader determine if the culture is bad?

If everyone is always arguing, never communicating, leaving their job, or proclaiming they are not happy, something is amiss.

Can bad leaders make the work culture toxic?

Yes. If a manager or leader constantly yells, lies, or ignores problems, employees get upset or angry. Leaders should be kind and fair.