Is your team toxic, tolerable or thriving?
Team culture is like the weather. It's always there - in the background, conditioning what we think, feel and do.
Recently, I've been having lots of conversations with people who are a bit down about their teams - and for good reasons:
- People are taking more sick days.
- Staff are on their phones at lunch, not communicating with each other.
- Team meetings are a bit awkward or stilted.
- Good people are quitting.
- The mood is just a bit tired and drained.
Add in some challenging economic and social conditions, and it's no surprise that people are tapping out.
It's got me revisiting the different workplace cultures I've experienced - some good, some great, some terrible.
Moving up the table
I reckon the path to improving your team culture is a bit like a leaderboard in a sports competition. You may reach the top, but you need to remain vigilant to stay there.
This model isn't the truth, but truth may emerge from it. Have a read through it, identify where you're at - and get in touch with me at paul@paulmcgregor.co.nz if you'd like somebody to guide you up the table.
Toxic teams
You know you're in a toxic team when you find yourself googling things like:
- How to deal with bullying at work
- How to deal with difficult people
- Is my workplace toxic?
I've googled all those things in my time.
And it can leave you loathing your work and finding yourself in tears when you least expect it.
My prescription? Support.
The best thing when you're working in a toxic team is to get some support. This could be mentoring, counseling, legal advice, or simply another job... anything that will support you to progress through the toxic situation.
Tapped out teams
You're not in tears after work... but you often find yourself moaning to your partner about work.
You're in a tapped-out team.
The environment might not be openly toxic and harmful, but morale is pretty low. People take more sick days than normal and there's lots of talking about each other behind backs.
My prescription? Openness.
In a tapped-out culture, something is happening beneath the surface that people are afraid to talk about. (This is totally normal; most of us haven't been trained how to have those sorts of conversations.)
What we need is to clear the air - but in a safe way. This is easier said than done, when emotions are running hot. It's where having an external guide (like me!) can add tremendous value.
Tolerable teams
If a friend were to ask "How's work?" you'd say... "Yeah, it's alright - it's just work." You don't love it; you don't hate it.
You might have too much work on your plate or stressful working conditions. Communication is patchy, but not terrible. You've got some good processes in place, but there are gaps that you might not be aware of. Some team members are excellent contributors; others are bringing the workplace down.
You probably have the nagging sense that things could be better, but you're not sure where you start.
My prescription? Inspiration.
A dose of inspiration can help to show what's possible. Stories from outside your team can help to paint a new picture of what's possible. They also create a new high to aim for. (That's often where my keynotes come in handy.)
Trusting teams
"Trust is the glue of life... It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships." - Stephen Covey
A trusting team is one built on strong relationships and real impact. If you find yourself on a Friday night happily chatting about your week at work, you might be working in a trusting team culture.
In general, things are good! People get on well. Of course, you have challenges - but you've got healthy ways of addressing them. Retention is high. People don't take much sick leave. Engagement surveys show strong results.
And yet something may be missing - because trust alone does not always lead to traction.
My prescription? Accountability.
If you are working in a trusting team, you may need some extra accountability to help you achieve your full potential and achieve the inspirational team culture you seek.
Thriving teams
Working in a thriving team is a wonderful experience. I hope you experience it someday - if you haven't already.
Doing work you love, with people you like, in a way that works for you - it's life-affirming.
But most of us never get close. Only 23% of employees are "engaged", according to Gallup's research.
My prescription? Gratitude.
If you're in a thriving team, it might be tempting to rest on your laurels. But what got you there won't keep you there.
I believe that gratitude is key to remaining a thriving team. Gratitude requires us to be present, to notice, and to celebrate what's working and what's not. And the work is never finished.
Does this model resonate?
If this model has struck a chord for you, I'd love to hear from you. Let me know at paul@paulmcgregor.co.nz:
- Where's your team on the table?
- Where would you like to be?
- What do you think would help you take the next step?