By Diana Brooks

Several years ago I consulted with an organization that was making changes to move to national prominence. It was known on the East Coast for innovative strategy, excellent quality, and world-class leadership. So lots of praise came my way from friends and family for such an association.

But within a few months, it became clear that the division where I was first asked to focus did not represent the overall organization. Leadership was self-serving, manipulative, and territorial. Concern for innovation and quality were nonexistent. Staff members ridiculed one another, and complaining was the most common mode of communication.

A colleague and I worked hard to nudge things to a positive place, but we were branded “Goody Two-Shoes” when we wouldn’t participate in the sarcasm and negativity. Our efforts to make upper management aware of the toxic nature of the culture were directed back to division leadership—which, we realized, was where the problems originated.

The short version of what had happened is this: One negative and toxic person (the division leader), along with a handful of ambitious yes-men and women, had managed to poison the workplace culture in this division of an otherwise-good company.

When you work in a toxic environment, no amount of pay, no level of position, can make up for your misery. You may even think it’s somehow your fault.

It’s probably not. Here are eight signs that a bad culture exists in your workplace, and that your own manager may even be the leader of it:

1. TURNOVER IS HIGH

It’s not because people are making less money than they could find somewhere else. Often the pay is more. But the team and its leadership are starting to get a reputation for being toxic to success and peace of mind.

2. GOSSIP AND RIDICULE ARE TOLERATED

Far from taking the high road, leaders jump down into the communication gutter too. In fact, they may take the lead in ridiculing peers or upper management, doing it openly in front of employees.

3. TEAM MEMBERS LACK ENERGY AND ENGAGEMENT

You’ll notice they are cynical about the team, the organization, the mission, and especially management. They do just enough to avoid getting fired, and sometimes not even that.

4. COMMUNICATION IS POOR

From the top to the bottom, people hoard information—when they have it. People are frequently blindsided by information announced publicly, never mind being given a “heads up” about projects and decisions affecting them.

5. PEOPLE DON’T SMILE

Walk the hallways and peak into cubicles; you’ll see stone faces. If you hear laughter, it’s often at someone’s expense, not genuine joyous laughter.

6.THE RUMOR MILL IS IN OVERDRIVE

Hushed conversations are everywhere. People pass along rumors and fret about saying the wrong thing. Being asked to come to the boss’s office feels like a visit to the principal’s office back in the day.

7. LEADERS ARE INSECURE ABOUT OTHER LEADERS SUCCEEDING

They withhold information and cooperation from other leaders and pass along their contagious turf-protection to everyone down the line. They never praise or congratulate those other leaders or their employees.

8. CHANGE IS NOT WELCOME

People are afraid of change. They’ve seen leadership manage change carelessly and disrespectfully in the past, so they dread it.

This list will no doubt be discouraging if you work in an environment with such a toxic culture. But I would suggest this: You have the power to change the culture, one day, one action at a time. Building a healthy culture starts with only a few determined people.

In just one department, in one corner of the building, a new work environment can begin to emerge. Small, single behaviors such as smiling and saying “Good Morning,” make a difference. Walking away when others gossip, or saying “I don’t think that’s true,” can be modeling behavior. Handling differences of opinion or approach with respect is refreshingly effective. As others interact with the positive, healthy department, they are attracted to it. After all, no one really wants to live in a culture of negativity.

So go find a few like-minded people, and take that first step toward a better work world!

Meanwhile, join the conversation below to share strategies that have worked for you.

What tactics do you use to improve leadership and workplace culture?  Join the conversation by adding a comment below.

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