TOXICITY IS THE SILENT CULTURE KILLER
Troy Hall, Ph.D. I-CUDE
Bestselling author on Talent Retention, international speaker, and founder of Cohesion Culture??
?? 22% of workers blame toxic cultures for work stress.
?? 25% of employees have experienced some form of harassment in the workplace over the last year.
?? Toxicity contributes 10.4 times more than other factors leading to increased employee turnover.
Infusing cohesion into a work culture is one proven method to reducing toxicity and retaining employees. With the presence of cohesion, employees feel a greater sense of belonging and inclusion. Creating an inclusive environment is extremely important as the lack of inclusion is still the number one reason a person leaves employment aside from promotion or life events. The importance of the supervisor-employee role cannot be overstated, as the supervisor makes or breaks the belonging cycle that involves inclusion.
Cohesion is formed from meaningful work. People who connect their purpose with work recognize their value to the organization both individually and collectively. Simon Sinek and Brené Brown refer to people who do this as being fulfilled. In fact, it can be said that fulfilled employees tend to live their jobs. Reachers furthered this concept and concluded that people who declare they love where they work are 87% more likely to stay than someone who feels like a cog in a wheel.
Rounding out the third strategic element of cohesion is mutual commitment. The most outwardly demonstration of working towards desired outcomes occurs with collaboration. To have collaboration operate at its highest level possible then the principles of need and trust must be present. Everyone on the team must agree they need each other and are willing to trust their teammates to tell the truth and do their jobs.
Cohesion eliminates toxicity.
There is no place for negativity or bullying to exist when people are included, valued, needed, and trusted. Although building a positive workplace culture can start with one, it takes a village to make it a reality and keep it going.
A trusted colleague, Chris Bower , posted the following image and asked for thoughts on this topic awhile back. He received an overwhelming response (as most of his posts do).
Hope you approve, Chris, of my 5 Easy, No-Cost ways to remove toxicity:
Toxicity in the workplace poisons the entire organization. It steals people’s energy, contributes to poor performance, and limits the level of engagement the individual puts forth. When toxic behavior is left unchecked, it creates an environment filled with tension and conflict, where defensive and passive-aggressive behaviors become the norm. This atmosphere erodes trust, collaboration, and overall morale, leading to decreased productivity and engagement.
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Addressing toxicity head-on is essential for building a healthy, cohesive workplace. Beyond creating policies, organizations must foster a culture of respect, transparency, and mutual support. As organizational leaders and individual contributors we have the power and responsibility to treat each other with care and consideration.
Cohesive leaders play a critical role in setting the tone and modeling the behaviors they want to see. By promoting open communication, recognizing positive contributions, and holding everyone accountable to high standards of conduct, organizational leaders can create an environment where everyone feels safe, included, valued, and empowered to do their best work as a unified force.
Remember, the goal is not just to eliminate toxic behavior but to replace it with positive, constructive interactions that enhance team cohesion and drive the organization forward. Let's work together to create a workplace where trust and respect are the foundations of our culture.
Message me if you want more information on Core Values, Cohesion Huddles, and Retention Debriefs.
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Dr. Troy
Recognized as Talent Retention Expert of the Year by International Association of Top Professionals , Top Business Leader by Valiant CEO Magazine , a Brainz Magazine 500 Global Award recipient, featured on The Today Show, ABC, the Global BV-TV Network, Beyond the Business Radio Show, and CEO World, Dr. Troy Hall is an award-winning talent retention consultant, international?speaker, and author of the bestselling titles; Cohesion Culture: Proven Principles to Retain Your Top Talent , and Fanny Rules: A Mother’s Leadership Lessons That Never Grow Old . As the founder of Cohesion Culture? , Dr. Troy has dedicated his career to establishing a cycle of culture wellness in the corporate and professional sphere.?His consulting and executive coaching engagements are built on the strategic framework of Cohesion Culture?, making the concepts of belonging, value, and shared commitment easy for organizations to adopt and implement.
Executive Assistant + Reynoldsburg Council President at the City Of Reynoldsburg and State Representative-Elect, House District 5
3 个月Sadly I have worked in toxic environments with toxic leaders. My self-care and self-worth are far more important than the almighty dollar. One thing those miserable individuals have taught me is how NOT to lead! When someone asks about my experience at ____ Company, my response is, "I've been delivered from a place that is not a good fit for me!
Bestselling author on Talent Retention, international speaker, and founder of Cohesion Culture??
3 个月Here are a group of future leaders that are saying “no” to toxic work cultures and “yes” to cohesion.
Closing gaps to tackle challenges and fuel growth through: Executive & Emerging Leader Coaching | Empowering Leadership | Speaker: Influence, Pipeline, Succession | Author | Meetings Strategist | Advocate
4 个月When leaders have a blind spot to the root of what’s causing the toxicity, you are correct, the good people will leave. Boards could also do more with awareness and accountability.
Experiential Team Building: Keeping your remote, in-person, and hybrid workforces productive & engaged.
4 个月Spot on as always Dr. Troy. Infusing cohesion into the culture creates an environment where everyone feels valued and trusted. The statistics you’ve highlighted are a reminder of how toxic work environments can undermine everything from employee retention to overall morale.?