As Tara informed us in Fractured Facts, the type of stress that affects the most people is not emotional or financial…it is work place related. Toxic work environments make people sick, make projects and strategies fail, and even more jolting, makes your best employees quit.
California media consultant, Peter Cooke, says:
“Culture is more important than vision. Some leaders have great vision, but have created a toxic culture where that vision will never happen.”
Here are some signs you or some one you know are in a toxic work environment:
Lack of appreciation, support, and empathy
Micromanagement (excessive control)
Belittlement and disrespect
Unreasonable pressure to get short term results at expense of the long term strategy
Any type of bullying or harassment
Lack of integrity, encouragement of dishonesty, and work environments that are morally questionable.
Injustice, unfairness, inequity, and favoritism
Environments like this, regardless of how great a strategy and vision are – will never come to fruition
Truly great leaders mend toxic work environments and cultures. They value a job well done and hard work, commitment, dedication, and honesty. They empower us, challenge us, mentor us, listen to and appreciate us. They also know what the late Peter Drucker, Management consultant, educator, & author, once said:
“Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
– Peter Ferdinand Drucker
