How to fix a broken team culture: rescuing a dysfunctional team

Understanding the concept of team culture is crucial for today's business leaders. But what exactly is team culture? Team culture refers to the collective values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours shared by individuals within a team or a group working towards a common goal. It encompasses the unwritten rules, norms, and expectations that shape how team members interact with one another, approach their work, and contribute to the overall team dynamic.

At its core, team culture defines a team's identity and influences how team members collaborate, communicate, and make decisions. It sets the tone for the team’s environment, impacting levels of cohesion, trust, and engagement. A strong and positive team culture fosters an environment where members feel supported, motivated, and empowered to perform at their best.

Recognising the indicators of a poor team culture

Unfortunately, not all teams have a healthy culture. Toxicity within a team can manifest in various ways, from mistrust and blame to low morale and high turnover. However, the signs of a poor team culture are not always overt.

Mark Weston, the director and head of APAC at Arcadia Culture, a firm specialising in sustainable behavioural change, explains, "A poor team culture is displayed behaviorally in many different ways, such as blame, low morale, and a general non-resourceful, pessimistic behaviour."

When these warning signs are present, it falls upon the manager or leader to become a catalyst for change. "The key factor is whether the leader demonstrates the competence and willingness to change," Weston says. A crucial starting point is addressing long-held preconceptions that may have gone unchallenged for a significant period. Weston adds, "Everything begins with assessing the current state. Our 'self-talk' is built upon years of programming. Therefore, we need to rewire this internal dialogue and replace it with new language."

The key to good team culture and company culture

Transforming a broken team culture into a great one can be a daunting task, but with strategic practices, it is possible. A strong team culture is instrumental in shaping the overall company culture and contributes to business success.

Identifying the issues causing the toxic culture is the first step. To change the prevailing culture, we must understand what's going wrong. It could be a blame culture, a toxic work environment, or issues like sexual harassment. Once identified, these issues should be addressed promptly and clearly, showing team members that the organisation values their well-being and is committed to a healthy team culture.

Creating an inclusive team culture involves ensuring each team member feels valued and respected. This can be achieved by fostering shared understanding and open communication. Regular meetings help keep everyone on the same page, promoting a sense of unity and shared values.

Maintaining psychological safety is also critical. Team members should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgement or retaliation. A psychologically safe work environment supports the growth of a high-performing team and can transform a toxic culture into a positive one.

Personal and professional development should always be encouraged. Providing opportunities for team members to enhance their skills can improve team performance and contribute to a strong team culture. Mentoring programmes can also serve as a tool for personal development, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

Defining and aligning team values with the company’s culture is another key element in repairing team culture. Core values guide behaviour and decisions within the team, and aligning these with the company culture can create a unified vision that drives the team forward.

Promoting a great culture also requires leadership that is not only competent but empathetic. Great leaders create a work environment where everyone feels connected and contributes to the team’s shared understanding.

Work on rebuilding the team

Once the core issues have been recognised and addressed, the focus should shift to taking steps to rebuild and strengthen the team. “It comes back to having a common purpose and direction – and to the installation of trust,” says Weston. “Having a low self-interest will help, coupled with a smart and giving mentality.”

At this stage, it’s critical to instil a clear, shared mission among team members and provide a path forward. Weston advises, “The purpose is all important, followed by creating a clear and compelling picture of the desired future state. Everyone needs to then know the strategies to drive the change and the part they individually play in it.”

Tips for addressing and fixing a broken team culture

If you’ve identified that your team culture is struggling, there are several steps you can take to improve it:

1. Recognise the warning signs: Look out for indicators that the team isn’t functioning as it should, such as low morale, frequent conflict, and high turnover.
    
2. Start a dialogue: Invite discussion and feedback about issues within the team and the broader work culture.
    
3. Be willing to change: Consider how different processes, procedures, and ways of working can create a more positive, cohesive team environment.
    
4. Develop a shared mission: Communicate the path forward to team members and ensure everyone understands their role in achieving the team’s collective mission.
    
5. Review your approach: Regularly check in to gauge how everyone feels about the team culture as a whole and their role within it.

Cultural change doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort, open communication, and a genuine commitment to change, a toxic culture can be transformed into a strong, healthy one. By fostering an environment of trust, respect, and continuous learning, organisations can nurture a winning team culture that not only improves team performance but also contributes to business success.

A great team culture is a significant influence on a company's success. It can lead to high-performing teams, engaged employees, and an overall strong company culture. By addressing issues head-on, fostering psychological safety, promoting personal development, and ensuring leadership prioritises team members' best interests, organisations can improve team culture and pave the way for a successful future.

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