What Is a Toxic Culture—and How Do You Spot One?
- Leslie Speas
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
We’ve all heard the phrase: “People don’t leave jobs; they leave bad cultures.” But what does that really mean? And how do you know if your organization might be slipping into toxic territory?
What is Culture?
There’s often confusion about what “culture” really means, and whether it’s just a fluffy buzzword. Let’s be clear: culture is very real. You’ve likely heard the saying, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” That’s because culture influences how strategies are implemented on a day-to-day basis.
At its core, culture is the personality of an organization. It’s the sum of what people believe, how they behave, and the way things truly get done. In other words, it’s everything people think, say, and do, whether it’s written down or not.
Defining a Toxic Culture
A toxic culture is an environment where unhealthy behaviors and poor leadership become the norm, impacting how people feel, how they work, and whether they stay. In a toxic workplace, negativity outweighs positivity, fear overshadows trust, and politics win over collaboration.
The result? Stress, low morale, disengagement, and ultimately, turnover.
Signs You May Have a Toxic Culture
Toxic cultures often show up in predictable ways. Here are some common red flags:
Bullying and intimidation are tolerated or ignored.
Coworkers gang up on one another instead of working as a team.
Leaders or colleagues take credit for others’ work.
Gossip, rumors, and false accusations run rampant.
Rules aren’t applied consistently, creating unfairness and resentment.
Supervisors fail to communicate, leaving employees unclear or frustrated.
The atmosphere feels heavy or fearful, draining energy and motivation.
If several of these sound familiar, your culture may be sending distress signals.
Why It Matters
Toxic cultures hurt your business. According to Gallup, disengaged employees cost U.S. companies up to $550 billion per year in lost productivity. Employees who feel disrespected or unsafe are more likely to burn out, disengage, or leave.
A healthy culture, on the other hand, fuels engagement, retention, and innovation. It’s the difference between employees showing up because they have to, versus because they want to.
Take the Toxic Culture Assessment
The good news? You don’t have to wonder where your culture stands. I’ve created a quick, 10-question Toxic Culture Assessment that helps leaders and teams see whether their workplace is:
🟢 Healthy
🟡 Showing warning signs
🔴 Toxic
It only takes a few minutes, and it could illuminate issues that are holding your people and performance back.
Final Thought
Culture isn’t just about perks, policies, or posters on the wall. It’s about the daily behaviors and energy that flow through your workplace. If your culture feels heavy, fearful, or political, that’s a signal to take action.
Because at the end of the day, people don’t just want a paycheck—they want a workplace where they can thrive, belong, and contribute their best.
Want to chat about how you could enhance your culture? Reach out to leslie@influencehrconsulting.com for a complimentary coaching session.
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