Leaders have the ability to cultivate their organization's culture, but they can easily create a toxic environment though poor practices, according to the Harvard Business Review.
Here are three habits that can lead to a toxic environment.
1. Scattered priorities. Haphazard meeting agendas, off-topic conversations and unresolved decisions can lead to a poorly-focused team that wastes time and resources.
2. Unhealthy rivalries. Competition is a natural and healthy aspect of work, but if leaders let it get out of hand, it can result in unhealthy rivalries that erode trust and make team members question their coworkers' motivations.
3. Unproductive conflict. A transparent office is usually a healthy one, but if leaders encourage a culture of employees speaking behind each other's backs, the team can quickly turn toxic.