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Understanding the concept of team culture is crucial for today's business leaders. A positive team culture contributes significantly to building a strong and high-performing team, as well as fostering a healthy overall company culture. However, what should you do if you inherit an unhappy or dysfunctional team? As a modern leader, it's important to recognise the key elements and signs of a broken team or toxic work culture and take action before your team begins to lose members.
If you need assistance in implementing strategies to improve team culture, we have compiled a comprehensive guide on identifying a broken team culture and identifying team members who may be struggling. Read on to discover tips on addressing your company's culture and ensuring that your organisation thrives with high-performing teams whose members feel connected and valued.
Toxicity within a team can manifest in various ways. In severe cases, there may be suspicion, mistrust, and team members openly blaming or complaining about each other, which can quickly lead to low productivity, reduced innovation, and high staff turnover.
However, the signs of a poor team culture are not always overt, as explained by Mark Weston, the director and head of APAC at Arcadia Culture, a firm specialising in sustainable behavioural change. Weston notes, "A poor team culture is displayed behaviorally in many different ways, such as blame, low morale, and a general non-resourceful, pessimistic behaviour."
When these warning signs are present, Weston suggests that it falls upon the manager or leader to become a catalyst for change. "The key factor is whether the leader demonstrates the competence and willingness to change," he says.
A crucial starting point is to address long-held preconceptions that may have gone unchallenged for a significant period. Weston explains, "Everything begins with assessing the current state. Our 'self-talk' is built upon years and years of programming. Therefore, we need to rewire this internal dialogue and replace it with new language."
Once the core issues have been recognised and addressed, the focus should shift to taking steps to rebuild and strengthen the team.
“It comes back to having a common purpose and direction – and to the installation of trust,” says Weston. “Having a low self-interest will help, coupled with a smart and giving mentality.”
A critical factor at this stage is instilling a clear, shared mission amongst team members and providing a path forward.
“The purpose is all important, followed by creating a clear and compelling picture of the desired future state,” Weston advises. “Everyone needs to then know the strategies to drive the change and the part they individually play in it.”
You might be asking yourself, ‘what is team culture?’. Well, team culture refers to the collective values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours shared by individuals within a team or a group working towards a common goal. It encompasses the unwritten rules, norms, and expectations that shape how team members interact with one another, approach their work, and contribute to the overall team dynamic.
At its core, team culture defines the essence of a team's identity and shapes the way team members collaborate, communicate, and make decisions. It sets the tone for the team's environment, influencing its levels of cohesion, trust, and engagement. A strong and positive team culture fosters an environment where team members feel supported, motivated, and empowered to perform at their best.
A healthy team culture is characterised by several key elements. Open and effective communication is essential, as it promotes transparency, trust, and the exchange of ideas among team members. Collaboration and teamwork are encouraged, with a focus on leveraging the diverse skills and expertise of each individual to achieve collective success. Respect and empathy towards one another create a safe and inclusive space, where differences are valued and everyone's contributions are acknowledged.
Team culture also plays a significant role in driving motivation and morale. When team members feel a sense of belonging and connection to the team, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. A positive team culture promotes a growth mindset, where mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than failures.
Building and nurturing a strong team culture requires intentional effort and ongoing attention. It starts with leadership setting the right example and actively promoting the desired values and behaviours. Regular team-building activities, training, and feedback sessions can help reinforce the team culture and address any challenges or conflicts that may arise.
In conclusion, team culture is the shared set of values, attitudes, and behaviours that define how a team operates and interacts. A healthy team culture fosters collaboration, trust, and engagement among team members, ultimately leading to improved performance and outcomes.
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There’s no set-and-forget solution to team culture improvement and transforming a broken team culture into a great team culture can be a daunting task. But by implementing a few strategic practices, the transformation can be successful, creating a positive work environment that promotes employee engagement and improves productivity. A strong team culture is instrumental in shaping the overall company culture and contributes to the success of a business.
Identifying the issues causing the toxic culture is the first step. To change the prevailing culture, we must understand what's going wrong. It could be a blame culture, a toxic work environment, or issues like sexual harassment. Once identified, these issues should be addressed promptly and clearly, showing team members that the organisation values their well-being and is committed to a healthy team culture.
Creating an inclusive team culture involves ensuring each team member feels valued and respected. This can be achieved by fostering shared understanding and open communication. Regular meetings can help keep everyone on the same page, promoting a sense of unity and shared values.
Maintaining psychological safety is critical to a good team culture. Team members should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgement or retaliation. A psychologically safe work environment supports the growth of a high-performing team and can transform a toxic culture into a positive one.
Personal development and professional development should always be encouraged. Providing opportunities for team members to enhance their skills can improve team performance and contribute to a strong team culture. Mentoring programs can also serve as a tool for personal development, fostering a culture of continuous learning.
Defining and aligning team values with the company's culture is another key element in repairing team culture. The core values can guide behaviour and decisions within the team, and aligning these with the company culture can create a unified vision that pushes the team in the right direction.
Promoting a great culture also requires leadership that is not only competent but also empathetic. Great leaders create a work environment where everyone feels connected and contributes to the team's shared understanding.
Cultural change doesn't happen overnight. But with consistent effort, open communication, and a genuine commitment to change, a toxic culture can be transformed into a strong, healthy one. By fostering an environment of trust, respect, and continuous learning, organisations can nurture a winning team culture that not only improves team performance but also contributes to a successful business.
In summary, great team culture is a huge influence on a company's success. A good team culture can lead to high-performing teams, engaged employees, and an overall great company culture. By addressing issues head-on, fostering an environment of psychological safety, promoting personal development, and ensuring leadership prioritises team members' best interests, organisations can improve team culture and pave the way for a successful future.
