Psychological Safety: The Key to Improving a Toxic Workplace Culture
Insync Workplace Solutions
Redefining HR, Safety & Leadership |Building High Performing, Inclusive, Physically & Psychologically Safe Workplaces
Toxicity at work appears to be on the increase, and employees are starting to feel empowered to call it out. According to MIT Sloan's recent study, "Culture is driving the Great Resignation", a toxic work culture is the number-one reason employees cite for leaving their jobs.
People don't leave jobs, they leave toxic work cultures - Dr. Amina Aitsi-Selmi
A toxic workplace culture is an environment characterised by negative, unhealthy, and dysfunctional behaviour. It can lead to stress, burnout, and mental health issues. Toxic cultures often arise due to poor leadership, lack of/ineffective communication, micromanagement, discrimination, harassment, bullying, and blurred lines between work and life, among other factors. In a toxic culture, employees may experience low morale, a lack of trust in their colleagues and management, and a feeling of disconnection from the organisation.
Signs of a toxic workplace culture
Signs of a toxic workplace culture include, but are not limited to:
Impact of a toxic culture
A toxic culture can have a significant impact on individuals and organisations. Employees may experience high-stress levels, burnout, and mental health issues. They may also have low morale, a lack of trust in their colleagues and management, a misalignment in their values, and feel disconnected from the organisation. This can lead to high staff turnover, absenteeism, decreased productivity, and poor customer service. In addition, a toxic culture can also impact workplace safety as people work from a place of fear.
When people work from a place of fear, they operate from their limbic system instead of their pre-frontal cortex. The limbic system is the part of the brain that controls our emotional responses, including fear, anger, and anxiety. On the other hand, the pre-frontal cortex is responsible for executive functioning, such as decision-making, problem-solving, and planning.
When people work from a place of fear, they may experience several negative effects. These can include:
Impaired Decision-Making: When we are in a state of fear, our ability to make rational decisions can be impaired. This can lead to poor decision-making and potentially negative consequences for the individual and the organisation.
Reduced Creativity: Fear can cause people to become more rigid in their thinking and less open to new ideas or approaches. This can limit creativity and innovation in the workplace.
Lowered Performance: When people work from a place of fear, their performance may suffer. Fear can cause people to become distracted and anxious, leading to decreased productivity and poorer performance.
Increased Stress: Working from a place of fear can be incredibly stressful and can lead to physical and mental health issues over time.
Reduced Engagement: Fear can cause people to disengage from their work, leading to a lack of motivation and commitment.
When people are working from a place of fear, it can also significantly impact workplace safety. Fear can cause people to become more cautious and vigilant, which can be beneficial in some situations. However, it can also cause people to become overly anxious and reactive, which can lead to unsafe behaviours and decision-making.
Some ways in which fear can impact workplace safety include:
Increased Risk Aversion: When people work from a place of fear, they may become more risk-averse, leading to missed opportunities and a lack of innovation. However, in some situations, risk-taking may be necessary to improve workplace safety or achieve organisational goals.
Decreased Situational Awareness: Fear can cause people to become hyper-focused on their own concerns and less aware of their surroundings. This can lead to accidents and injuries in the workplace.
Increased Stress: Working from a place of fear can be incredibly stressful and can lead to physical and mental health issues over time. This can impact workplace safety by reducing the ability of workers to stay focused and alert.
领英推荐
Reduced Communication: Fear can cause people to become less communicative and more defensive, leading to misunderstandings and mistakes in the workplace.
Inconsistent Decision-Making: When people work from a place of fear, their decision-making may become inconsistent or erratic. This can lead to poor decision-making and potentially negative consequences for workplace safety.
How can you turn a toxic culture around?
Organisations must prioritise creating a safe and supportive environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas without fear of negative consequences to turn around a toxic workplace culture. This is where psychological safety comes in.
Psychological safety is the belief that one can speak up and share ideas without fear of negative consequences, such as being punished, humiliated or ostracised. It creates an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. When employees feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to collaborate, share knowledge, and work together to solve problems. This can lead to a more positive and supportive work culture.
Here are some ways that psychological safety can help improve a toxic workplace culture:
Encourage Open Communication
Leaders need to create a culture of open communication where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, concerns, and ideas. This can help to break down barriers and build trust. Leaders should listen actively and respond respectfully to employees' ideas and concerns. This will help to promote a culture of collaboration and trust.
Acknowledge Mistakes
Leaders need to acknowledge their mistakes and encourage others to do the same. This can help to reduce the fear of speaking up and promote a culture of learning and growth. When leaders are open and transparent about their mistakes, it helps create a culture where employees feel comfortable admitting their mistakes without fear of negative consequences.
Provide Support and Resources
Leaders must provide employees with the support and resources needed to succeed. This can include training, mentoring, coaching, and access to mental health resources. When employees feel supported, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated, leading to improved performance and a more positive workplace culture.
Foster a Culture of Respect
Leaders need to model respectful behaviour and promote a culture of respect among employees. This can help to reduce bullying, harassment, and discrimination, which can contribute to a toxic workplace culture. Leaders should set the tone by treating all employees with respect and promoting a culture of inclusion and diversity.
Recognise and Reward Positive Behavior
Leaders must recognise and reward positive behaviour, such as teamwork, collaboration, and innovation. This can help promote a positive culture and encourage employees to continue working together to improve the workplace. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated, which can help to turn around a toxic workplace culture.
Next Steps
A toxic workplace culture can have a significant negative impact on individuals and organisations. However, organisations can create a safe and supportive environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas by promoting psychological safety. This can lead to increased collaboration, improved performance, and a more positive workplace culture.
Leaders must encourage open communication, acknowledge mistakes, provide support and resources, foster a culture of respect, and recognise and reward positive behaviour. By doing so, organisations can turn around a toxic workplace culture and create a safe and supportive environment for their employees.
Interested in learning more about how you can improve your workplace culture through psychological safety? At Insync Workplace Solutions, we are people, safety and culture experts. We can help you to create a positive and supportive workplace culture that promotes psychological safety and supports the wellbeing of your employees. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you to create a safer and more productive workplace culture.