Most people don’t walk away from a job because the work is too hard.
They leave because the culture wears them down.
What makes a culture toxic isn’t always loud or obvious.
Sometimes, it’s the well-meaning habits we fall into.
The quick fixes. The small oversights.
The pressure to always be “on.”
If you’re leading a team or running a business, culture isn’t just what you say — it’s how you show up, how you respond, and what you repeatedly allow.
Here are 7 habits that slowly break down trust, energy, and motivation in a workplace — and what to do instead.
1. Solving Everything Yourself
When a problem pops up, it’s tempting to jump in and fix it.
But if you always take over, your team never builds the muscle to solve things on their own. Confidence fades. Initiative disappears.
Try this instead: Coach. Ask guiding questions. Let people try, even if it takes longer. You’re building long-term capability, not just chasing quick wins.
2. Manufacturing Urgency
Not everything is a crisis. When every task feels urgent, people can’t distinguish what actually matters. This constant pace leads to burnout, anxiety, and confusion.
Try this instead: Clarify priorities. Protect deep work time. Slow down when you can, so your team can speed up when it counts.
3. Avoiding Honest Conversations
It’s easy to delay hard conversations. We tell ourselves it’s not the right time, or that things will improve on their own. But avoiding feedback creates silence — and silence breeds uncertainty.
Try this instead: Speak with clarity and care. Set the tone for openness. Trust grows when people know where they stand.
4. Holding the Vision in Your Head
If your team doesn’t know the bigger picture, they’ll struggle to find meaning in the day-to-day. People lose momentum when they don’t understand how their work fits into the whole.
Try this instead: Share your vision often. Reconnect the work to a purpose. Strategy should be a conversation, not a secret.
5. Making All the Decisions
Being the go-to for every decision might feel productive — but it slows things down and stalls leadership growth in others. It also sends the message that their judgment isn’t trusted.
Try this instead: Delegate decision-making. Give people space to choose and learn. Leadership is learned by doing, not observing.
6. Ignoring What’s Going Well
When all the focus is on what’s broken, people start to feel like nothing they do is enough. Recognition isn’t about praise for the sake of it. It’s about energising momentum.
Try this instead: Celebrate wins, big and small. Acknowledge effort. Show your team that you see them.
7. Modelling Stress as the Norm
If you’re constantly stressed, scattered, or unavailable — your team will mirror that energy. Your presence, tone, and behaviour ripple through the entire culture.
Try this instead: Regulate your own pace. Take breathers. When you lead with steadiness, others feel safe to do the same.
Noticing Is the First Step
If any of these points hit close to home, you’re not alone. Culture is shaped moment by moment — and the good news is, it can always be reshaped.
Start small. Pick one habit to shift. The culture you will lead tomorrow starts with the habits you choose today. Which one will you change first?
Leadership isn’t just a title — it’s a daily practice.
Explore SSA Academy’s Soft Skills & Leadership courses to build the confidence and emotional intelligence that great leadership requires.
