Drivers of Toxic Cultures and What We Can Do About It!

Abstract

The nature of work has undergone significant changes. In times of uncertainty, the importance of culture cannot be overstated. Any missteps in shaping organisational culture can have a profound impact on the ability of an organisation to attract and retain valuable talent in the future. The objective of this practitioner’s perspective is to identify factors that contribute to a toxic culture, distinguish a healthy culture from a toxic one and establish the business imperative for detoxifying the culture to achieve organisational success. Leaders, regardless of their intentions, create and perpetuate toxic cultures through their actions. Beyond leaders, members of the organisation, whether actively or passively, contribute to the perpetuation of toxic cultures. Addressing toxic cultures is a shared responsibility. Leaders can play a pivotal role in mitigating toxicity by taking meaningful action. To step up, leaders should define what a desirable culture is, establish healthy social norms and foster a climate of psychological safety to sustain the change. Middle managers matter too. HRM can help establish alignment and accountability at all levels.