Higher Hierarchy Response

 

Higher Hierarchy Response

Author: Donald Sull, Charles Sull, William Cipolli, and Caio Brighenti

Source: https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/why-every-leader-needs-to-worry-about-toxic-culture/

Donald Sull, C. S. (2022, March 16). Why every leader needs to worry about toxic culture. MIT Sloan Management Review.https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/why-every-leader-needs-to-worry-about-toxic-culture/

In various undertakings, whether it's crafting an essay or constructing a backyard deck, the foundational elements play a paramount role. In the context of an essay, this pivotal element is the thesis, while for a deck, it's the robust cement foundation. Remarkably, this same principle holds true in the corporate world. If the company's leaders, who represent its public face, are ill-equipped to address a toxic workplace environment, it's the employees who suffer most. Paradoxically, this ultimately inflicts more harm upon the employer than the employees in the long term. For instance, Sull and other experts highlight a staggering reality—back in 2008, a substantial $16 billion had to be allocated to employee healthcare costs due to the long-term consequences of a toxic work environment. Such figures underscore the gravity of the situation. Research indicates that employees exposed to a toxic workplace environment face a significantly heightened risk, ranging from 35% to 50% of developing chronic mental health conditions, as elucidated by Sull, S.B, H (2023). The focal point of this article centers on the prevalence of disrespect as the primary factor characterizing a toxic workplace. This perspective reinforces the notion that a negative company image has repercussions not only for its employees but also for the employers themselves. It's essential to reiterate that disrespect is identified as the primary contributor to a toxic workplace environment, with non-inclusivity ranking closely behind. In a conclusive survey conducted between 2016 and 2020, it was revealed that approximately 10% of employees in large American companies cited one or more toxic cultural elements in their Glassdoor reviews. Furthermore, Sull's research in 2023 unearthed the disheartening statistic that 1 in 10 Americans perceives their workplace as toxic.

Reflecting on my personal experiences, I find strong parallels in the significance of solid foundations in various facets of life, spanning from constructing physical structures to the realm of corporate enterprises. I've personally encountered a situation where a company's fundamental core, embodied by its leadership, played a central role in shaping the workplace's toxic environment and, subsequently, its repercussions on the employees. In my prior employment, I was part of a company that placed a significant emphasis on its leadership team, who essentially represented the public face of the organization. Their responsibility was to establish the workplace's ambiance, values, and overall culture. Regrettably, the leadership team I encountered was ill-prepared to address the creeping toxicity within the company's work environment. Before long, this toxicity began taking a toll on the employees. Disrespect emerged as a prominent issue that tainted the work atmosphere, with employees frequently facing impolite and dismissive behavior from their superiors, eroding their self-esteem and morale. This toxicity also extended to exclusion, where certain employees were marginalized, leading to a fragmented and uncooperative work environment.