What You'll Discover In This Episode:
Workplace toxicity, much like a malignant cancer, can permeate the fabric of any organization, but its destructive potential more quickly amplifies within a small business. In this more intimate setting, a pervasive negative culture or a single toxic individual (business owner or employee) can quickly metastasize, infecting relationships, eroding trust, and stifling productivity.
Just as cancer cells aggressively consume resources and disrupt healthy bodily functions, a toxic environment steals energy from employees, breeding resentment, fear, and disengagement. Without an HR department to quickly remediate such situations, small businesses are particularly vulnerable to this uncontrolled growth. The initial symptoms might be subtle – hushed whispers, increased absenteeism, poor performance, disrespectful behavior, or a palpable tension – but if left unchecked, this "organizational cancer" will relentlessly spread, ultimately compromising the health, profitability, and even the very survival of the business.
Might workplace toxicity be something your business is struggling with?
Perhaps you’ve noticed that gossip is running rampant, mistrust has increased in both directions, teammates are indifferent to your critiques of their work, or you’ve been avoiding hard conversations. If so, it’s time to tackle the growing toxicity in your business. You have the power to shape the culture of your business with your own behaviors and what you model to your teammates, after all. While the ever-noticeable toxicity might seem out of control currently, you can take certain actions to decrease and even eradicate it.
In this episode of the Small Business Straight Talk Podcast, I dive into the issue of workplace toxicity and discuss strategies to quickly turn it around by leading with love.
Episode Links & Resources:
About Guest:
Atlanta-based Dr. Sam Adeyemi (Ah Day yeh me) is CEO of Sam Adeyemi, GLC, Inc. and founder and executive director of Daystar Leadership Academy (DLA). More than 45,000 alumni have graduated from DLA programs, and more than 3 million CEOs and high performing individuals follow him on top social media sites. Dr. Sam's new book is "Dear Leader: Your Flagship Guide to Successful Leadership." He holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership from Virginia's Regent University, and is a member of the International Leadership Association. He and his wife, Nike (say Nee keh) have three children. Learn more at SamAdeyemi.com.
