Strategic Advisor to Law Firms | CEO at LeadWise Group | Leadership & BD Coach | Developing Rainmakers, Leaders & High-Performance Cultures
The news of the death of Pinsent Masons' partner, Vanessa Ford, has brought the topic of unrealistic work expectations and "toxic work culture" back into full view. The reality is - many of us have experienced, or know someone who has, the debilitating effects of a toxic work environment. Recently, one of our clients - a senior manager at a company - shared how the departure of one of the company's leaders unveiled a previously hidden culture of fear, backstabbing, and negativity. This is a scenario many professionals face, leaving them feeling unvalued, drained, disoriented, and unsure of how to move forward. If you are a leader in an organization in need of rebuilding its culture, here is how you can help. ☑️ Acknowledge the pain. Validate the emotional toll the past culture has taken on employees. Open forums and anonymous surveys can provide safe spaces for sharing experiences and fostering understanding. ☑️ Focus on transparency and communication. New leadership must establish clear communication channels and commit to transparency. Regular updates, even when delivering difficult news, build trust and demonstrate respect. ☑️ Champion collaboration and psychological safety. Prioritize teamwork and information sharing over individual competition. Foster an environment where employees feel safe to voice concerns and offer ideas without fear of retribution. ☑️ Invest in employee well-being. Prioritize mental health resources and support systems. Encourage healthy work-life balance and offer programs that promote stress management and emotional resilience. ☑️ Lead by example. New leaders must embody the desired culture. Demonstrate ethical behavior, hold themselves accountable, and celebrate successes achieved through collaboration. Building a positive, productive culture takes time and dedicated effort. By prioritizing these steps, you can help your people emerge stronger, fostering an environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired to contribute their best. #toxicculture #leadership #culturechange #wellbeing #transparency
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Yuliya LaRoe! As always, you are insightful and know how to speak in a way that makes attorneys listen. Sharing for reach!
TEDx & Keynote Speaker | People Belonging & Inclusion Strategist| C-Suite Advisor | Writer |Truthteller |Status Quo Disruptor | Successfully completed Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead Certification Training in June 2019
1yThanks for sharing these well thought out approaches. We often underestimate the power and importance of trust. So many things erode trust and in turn impact resilience, collaboration, productivity, efficiency, mental and physical health and more. It is a well-being issue, a belonging issue, a psychological safety issue, leadership issue, etc. I am honestly heartened to see multiple clients reaching out to do work specifically around trust.