Culture doesn’t just happen in a company. Ok I take that back, it does if you aren’t paying attention to it and don’t; focus on what you want your culture to be, and how you will ensure it continues to move in that direction. When you pay no attention to your culture what you’ll end up with is one where whichever biggest personalities speak the loudest and most often. What you’ll create, or minimally allow to happen is a toxic culture.

In order to create a positive culture it’s imperative you aware of the signs that you have or are leaning towards a toxic culture.

1. Micro Management is common. When leaders micromanage it indicates to staff that you don’t trust them to do the job well and to your satisfaction. It tells them you don’t think they are smart enough, creative enough or capable enough.

2. Turnover is a problem. When staff are happy they stay, when they aren’t they leave. If people are leaving your company like a revolving door there is something they don’t like. If you keep firing people for under performing it says you don’t know how to hire effectively and/or aren’t willing to train and invest in people. None of these say ‘fun, happy company to work for’.

3. Communication, when it happens, is mostly through text and email. You can not build relationships through text and email…period. Digital communication has its place. Positive, healthy cultures understand when and how to use digital communication strategically.

4. Under performers are blamed. They are blamed for not caring, for not being accountable and maybe even being stupid. Perhaps they don’t understand, need more training and maybe they are unengaged because your culture is toxic.

5. There exists a sacred cow or two. Every organization has a few stars, but this isn’t who I mean. You know the sacred cow, the one everyone knows does as little as possible, seems to come and go as they please and has a bad attitude but is treated special. Their bad behavior is overlooked. They seem to have more vacation than everyone else. The rest of the staff tolerates them while leadership exholts them.

6. No boundaries between work and home. Your boss texts you on Sunday mornings or 10 PM at night. Colleagues don’t think twice about calling at any time of the day and night to discuss something that could wait till the next business day. Meetings are cancelled, rescheduled, cancelled and rescheduled again without any regard for anyone’s calendar or personal needs.

7. And the list goes on…

• a. People out on sick leave often
• b. Clock watching behavior
• c. Lack of participation in meetings
• d. Does what is expected and nothing more
• e. A negative buzz in the office
• f. Staff huddling in corners, in the kitchen or at desks…gossiping
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Including culture as part of your performance management means that a process will be in place for ongoing communication between a manager and an employee on a regular basis. These conversations will be in support of accomplishing the objectives of the company, and the needs of the employee.

In order to create a healthy culture, you have to invest time, and you have to be invested in having a healthy culture. It doesn’t just happen. Happy, productive, engaged employees are what happens when you genuinely care about the people. They feel it and are then willing to commit to the company and its success.