What’s the real difference between a toxic workplace and a dysfunctional one? In this season opener of The Good Company Podcast, hosts Drew Dudley and Brett Elmgren delve into the grey areas of workplace culture. In their conversation, Drew and Brett discuss what makes a culture toxic, how to tell if it’s permanently broken or just temporarily off-track, and how leaders can respond accordingly. They explore the difference between temporary dysfunction and baked-in toxicity, and why too many leaders jump to extreme language without naming what’s going on. They unpack how cultures drift into dysfunction “gradually and then suddenly,” the danger of normalizing poor behavior, and why personal values are the ultimate litmus test for when it’s time to walk away. Drew and Brett also uncover their three-level model of workplace culture and share what it takes to move teams up that ladder. Join in for leadership insight that will challenge how you think about hope, emotional honesty, and the lies we tell ourselves to get through the day. Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introduction and outline of what listeners can expect from the episode. [0:00:00]

• They reflect on season one and the most common feedback from listeners. [0:01:20]

• Explore the difference between a dysfunctional culture and a toxic culture. [0:03:18]

• Brett’s three-tiered culture model: dysfunctional, transactional, legendary. [0:06:38]

• Drew’s definition of toxic and why tracking emotional well-being is important. [0:14:00]

• Broader implications of toxicity and the common lies managers tell themselves. [0:20:00]

• Managers chasing professional acclaim versus managers who are people pleasers. [0:27:42]

• Learn practical tips for delivering hard feedback while maintaining care and intent. [0:35:52]

• Find out what is needed to transform a toxic culture into a positive one. [0:40:06]

• Final takeaways: track trends, have hard conversations, and refocus on purpose. [0:49:15]

Quotes:

“Dysfunction can be temporary. Toxicity is baked right [into workplace culture].” — Drew Dudley [0:05:56]

“A toxic culture would be defined by an environment that forces you to violate your personal values in order to survive within it.” — Brett Elmgren [0:07:10]

“It is easier to survive financial bankruptcy than emotional bankruptcy.” — Drew Dudley [0:20:58]

“The path to toxicity is often paved with the best intentions.” — Drew Dudley [0:34:22]

“Great leaders don’t manage processes and systems – great leaders manage energy.” — Brett Elmgren [0:45:38]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Radical Candor

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Drew Dudley | Everyday Leadership

Brett Elmgren | Axom Leadership