Toxic or Thriving? How to Tell What Kind of Company Culture You Have

Ever heard the saying, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast”? It’s true, your company culture can make or break your business. It is a reminder that the way people work together, their attitudes, and the values they follow everyday matter more than any strategy on paper. But how do you know if your workplace is thriving or if there’s something toxic lurking beneath the surface? 

Good Culture: Thriving in the Right Conditions 

A great company culture is like a well-tended garden. With the right environment – sunlight, water and good soil, plants flourish just like employees thrive when trust, communication and strong leadership are present. In this kind of healthy culture, employees feel nurtured, appreciated, supported, and secure. They understand their role, feel empowered to contribute, and have the confidence to grow within the company. 

Here are some signs of a Thriving Culture: 

• People openly share ideas without fear of backlash. 
• Leaders guide and support, not micromanage. 
• Employees feel appreciated and engaged. 
• Problems are addressed, not swept under the rug. 
• There’s a strong sense of teamwork and purpose. 
• New talent is drawn to the company, and employees want to stay. 

Toxic Culture: Growing in the Dark 

Now, imagine a different kind of garden, one overrun with weeds, starved of nutrients and struggling to survive. Just like weeds choke healthy plants, negativity, fear, and poor leadership can suffocate business growth. At a glance, the company might still appear functional, but underneath the surface, dsyfunction is taking root.  Without intervention, the weeds will spread, making it harder for anything positive to grow.  

Here are some warning signs: 

• Employees are afraid to speak up. 
• High staff turnover and burnout. 
• Gossip, cliques, or a blame culture. 
• Leadership avoids difficult conversations. 
• People don’t feel valued or heard. 
• Struggles to attract and retain top employees 

The Impact of Poor Culture  

A toxic work culture doesn’t just hurt morale, it directly affects business results. When employees feel unappreciated, unheard, or stressed, their productivity drops. High turnover means constantly hiring and training new staff, which drains time and money. Even customers can feel the effects of a disengaged team, leading to lost business opportunities. 

How to Shift from Toxic to Thriving 

If you recognise any toxic traits in your business, don’t panic! Culture isn’t set in stone, you can change it. Here are some top tips: 

• Shine a light on the issues. Acknowledge concerns and ask employees for honest feedback.  
• Lead by example. Show trust, transparency, and appreciation in your leadership style. 
• Encourage open communication. Make sure employees feel safe sharing thoughts and concerns. 
• Recognise and reward. Employees must feel that they also benefit from their hard work.  
• Address problems head-on. Don’t let toxic behaviors fester. Tackle them early and fairly. 
• Invest in development.  Provide training and growth opportunities for your employees. 

As your business grows, so does your company culture, it evolves, for better or worse. The good news? You have the power to shape it. By recognising toxic behavior and rooting it out before it spreads, you can cultivate a culture where your company doesn’t just survive but thrives. 

Need help in defining and improving your company culture? Check out our resources at Dakota Blue Academy!