What if the key to success isn’t just strategy, but culture? Our last series of Thunder Talks covered the power of company culture in our lives.
It’s not a perk, a policy, or a poster on the wall. It’s the soul of a business. It’s how people feel about their work, their team, and their purpose. It’s what turns a job into a journey, a workplace into a community, and coworkers into something more.
Let’s walk through a story. Imagine you’re job hunting, and you have three interviews lined up. Each one paints a different picture.
First, you step into a cozy office. The CEO greets you with a smile, offers coffee, and talks like you’ve been part of the team for years. The salary offer isn’t the highest, but you leave feeling like your voice matters.
Next, a HR rep welcomes you. Everything runs smoothly. They meet your salary request without hesitation, but the connection feels... transactional.
Finally, you meet a manager. The pay is great, better than the others. But the conversation feels stiff, like a script. The office buzzes with efficiency, yet it feels cold and distant.
Who would you choose? The big paycheck? The structured process? Or the place where you feel seen, heard, and part of something bigger?
Company culture isn’t just about making a living, it’s about making a life. It’s what turns a workplace into a home and a paycheck into pride. It’s not just where you work, but how it makes you feel.
After you’ve decided which one works best for you, let’s dive into the essentials of company culture and how it can influence your life.
What Is Organizational Culture, and What Is Its Real Impact on Us?
Every organization has a heartbeat. A rhythm that echoes in its halls, meetings, and coffee breaks. This heartbeat is its culture. More than policies or mission statements, it’s the living, breathing force that shapes every interaction, decision, and aspiration. It’s the invisible thread that binds people together, turning individuals into a team and a workplace into a shared journey.
It’s the actions behind those words. It’s the belief system that guides how teams collaborate, how leaders lead, and how people show up for each other. It's the difference between a place that feels like a second home and one that drains your soul by lunchtime.
A great culture changes everything. It sparks creativity, nurtures trust, and inspires ownership. It turns a group of strangers into a community with a shared mission. But a toxic culture? It steals your energy, smothers your ambition, and whispers, “You don’t belong.”
Here’s the truth: culture shapes us. It’s not neutral. It’s either lifting you up or holding you back. It fuels your motivation or saps it. It makes you feel seen or invisible, valued or replaceable. It’s not just about the work you do. It’s about how you feel doing it.
And it matters now more than ever. We aren’t just looking for jobs. We’re searching for places where we can thrive, grow, and make an impact. We want purpose. Culture is the dealbreaker, the unspoken promise that defines how it feels to be part of something bigger than yourself.
So, how do you know if a culture is built to thrive? You look beyond the perks and policies. You listen to the stories people tell, notice the energy in the room, and ask yourself one question: does this feel like a place where I can do my best work?
Let’s dive into what makes a culture proud to belong to.
What Are the Elements of a Healthy Company Culture?
A thriving company culture is what happens in the moments that matter. When culture is healthy, it becomes a space for engagement, creativity, and trust. When it’s broken, no amount of free coffee or game nights can fix it.
The numbers speak loud and clear: 84% of employees who feel their company’s culture is positive are also more likely to be engaged. (Moneyzine) But how do you build something so powerful?
Here are the key elements that turn good intentions into a culture worth celebrating:
The elements of a healthy company culture- Vision, mission, and values that actually mean something - The vision reminds us why we started the journey and where it’s taking us. The mission is the why. Why this work matters, why this team exists, and why it’s worth showing up every day. Values are the actions. They’re the choices made when things get tough. They’re the rules of engagement that guide our behavior and decisions. Together, they define why we exist, where we’re headed, and how we’ll get there.
- Communication that builds bridges, not walls - True communication is about listening deeper. It’s about creating a space where voices are heard. Open communication transforms us into a team that trusts, collaborates, and thrives. Bridges are built when leaders lead with empathy, when feedback is constructive, and when ideas flow without fear of judgment. It's the check-in that shows you care, the question that invites ideas, and the transparency that fosters trust.
- Healthy minds and hearts drive healthy businesses - Work is about people. Behind every project and every milestone is a human being. Thinking, feeling, striving. Ignore our mental and emotional health, and no bonus or benefit can fill the gap. A thriving company culture doesn’t demand resilience. It nurtures it. It offers us a space to breathe, reflect, and recharge. It acknowledges that stress isn’t a badge of honor but a signal to recalibrate.
- A commitment to growth - Growth is essential. Not just for the business, but for the people who make it tick. When companies invest in your growth, they’re investing in your potential. A commitment to growth means offering opportunities for advancement, yes. But it’s more than that. It’s about encouraging curiosity, empowering us to explore, and celebrating our wins. It’s about giving a space to try new things, make mistakes, and try again.
- Teamwork that's built to win - Teams don’t win because they’re filled with rockstars. They win because they know how to sync. The greatest teams aren’t the ones with the most talented individuals, but the ones that trust each other enough to leave no one behind. They know that a team is only as strong as its weakest link. When the going gets tough, they huddle. They lean in. They ask, “What can I do to help? What can we do to fix this?” They point solutions, not fingers.
- Recognition that feels real - When recognition feels real, it’s specific. It’s personal. It’s not just “you did well”—it’s “the way you handled that challenge made a difference.” It’s “your creativity turned an idea into reality, and that mattered.” It’s about recognizing the why behind the what. When we feel truly seen and appreciated, we don’t keep that energy to ourselves. We bring it to the team, to the company, and to the work we do.
- Leadership that inspires us, not commands - When leadership isn’t about command, we feel seen, heard, and valued. Not just as employees but as contributors. We begin to believe in ourselves, and our work becomes more than just tasks. It becomes a shared mission. We all become leaders, not because of titles, but because we all take ownership of our journey together. It’s a reminder that we’re all capable of greatness, and when we lead together, we transform what’s possible.
If a thriving culture feels so good, why do so many stay in toxic ones? Fear. Familiarity. False promises. And some things more that we'll discuss in the next section. But here’s the truth: the culture you choose shapes the life you live.
A healthy company culture is a necessity. It’s where people flourish, businesses succeed, and innovation thrives. Build it with care. Protect it fiercely. Because when culture works, everything works.
Why Do People Stay in a Toxic Work Environment?
Toxic workplaces don’t thrive by accident. They breed on fear, comfort, and the illusion of security. People stay, not because they don’t know the damage, but because leaving feels like a risk they’re not willing to take. The paycheck, the status, the routine. It all becomes the chain that holds them down. The toxic culture whispers, "This is all you deserve." But deep down, they know they’re more. And still, they hesitate. Why? Because it’s easier to stay stuck than to take the leap into uncertainty.
5 reasons why people continue to stay in toxic company culture
Though, one thing is clear: the longer we stay, the harder it becomes to break free. Why do we cling to what’s harming us? And what will it take to finally walk away?
Denial, Lack of Awareness, and the Illusion of Growth
In toxic environments, people often deny the reality of their situation, convincing themselves that things aren’t that bad. They create a false narrative, telling themselves they’re growing when they’re not.
Seth Godin describes this as "safety mode," where employees do the minimum, hoping for a better opportunity while settling for temporary distractions like material possessions.
False growth isn’t growth at all. You can’t thrive when your emotional needs are ignored. Real progress comes from facing the situation honestly and choosing to move beyond the comfort of denial.
The Fear Trap – Financial, Failure, and Change
Fear keeps us tethered. The fear of the unknown job market, of adjusting to a new role, or of facing financial instability can paralyze us into staying in toxic cultures. The thought of starting over feels overwhelming. How will we match our current salary, or will we even find another job?
Then there's the fear of failure, the nagging doubt that we won’t thrive in a new position or meet expectations. Change, no matter how necessary, is scary. Even a toxic environment can feel like a safer option because it’s familiar.
And let’s not forget the consequences. Rejection, damaged relationships, the fear of a tainted reputation. It’s enough to make anyone second-guess a move.
Staying in that loop costs you more than change ever will. Fear only wins if you let it. The only real risk is staying stuck.
The Weight of Personal Investment
When you pour yourself into something, it becomes part of you. The time, the effort, the emotional energy, it feels like an investment. Leaving feels like throwing away everything you’ve built. It’s easy to convince yourself that giving up means you’ve failed. That the years of hard work were for nothing.
But the longer you stay, the harder it becomes to walk away.
The bond you’ve formed with your toxic job isn’t strength, it’s a chain. The more time you spend there, the more it erodes your confidence and your sense of worth.
Let go. The progress you've made is inside you. The work? You’ll find that again.
Social Norms that Keeps Us Trapped
When the culture around you, from family to friends, embraces the status quo, stepping away feels like a rebellion. The pressure to conform is heavy, and when those closest to you don’t understand or support your desire to break free, it feels like isolation.
The weight of tradition, of doing things the way they’ve always been done, can suffocate your dreams. But the courage to go against the grain is the first step toward finding a path that truly aligns with who you are.
You are not alone. Even if your support system doesn’t get it, you can still find the strength to choose something better. The real power comes from stepping out of that echo chamber and into the possibility of something new.
Absence of Respect, Confidence, and Self-Esteem
Respect isn’t just something we hope for from others. It starts with us. The way we show up, the way we treat ourselves, is the foundation of how the world will treat us in return. But when we lack that internal respect, when we allow others to cross boundaries, diminish our worth, or ignore our needs, we’re not just tolerating bad behavior, but inviting it in.
The truth is, people will treat you as you teach them to. If you don’t value yourself, how can you expect anyone else to? It’s a quiet, insidious cycle. One that takes root when we fail to honor our own worth.
So, start by demanding respect from yourself. Draw the line. Set the standard. When you do, the world has no choice but to follow your lead.
You deserve more than to be overlooked, undervalued, or ignored. Your worth is not negotiable. When you realize this, everything changes.
What to Do When You Are Stuck in a Toxic Work Environment?
When you're stuck in a toxic work environment, every step seems harder than the last. But liberation starts with intention. Here’s a roadmap to reclaim your freedom and rebuild a life of purpose and growth:
Escape unhealthy work environmen1. See it for what it is: Denial is comfortable, but it won’t save you. Acknowledge the reality of your situation. Recognize the impact it’s having on your emotions, your energy, and your life. Until you face the truth, change remains a distant dream.
2. Rediscover your core values: What matters to you most? Integrity, respect, creativity? Take an honest look at your core values. If your workplace clashes with them, it’s time to decide: Will you keep compromising, or will you honor what defines you? Start with self-respect, and the rest will follow.
3. Find allies: Not everyone in your current circle will understand or support your decision to leave. That’s okay. Seek out mentors, peers, or communities that can guide and inspire you. Their fresh perspectives could be the catalyst you need to take the leap.
4. Craft your escape plan: Freedom requires preparation. Update your resume, grow your network, and refine the skills that will open doors. Start conversations with people in roles or industries that excite you. Build a path toward something better, one deliberate step at a time.
5. Build a safety net: Fear thrives on uncertainty. Create a financial buffer, a savings fund that buys you time to transition without panic. Cut back on non-essentials to make space for your future. Security starts with small, consistent actions.
6. Invest in your well-being: A toxic job drains more than your energy, it chips away at your mental and physical health. Prioritize self-care, whether through exercise, meditation, or simply spending time with those who uplift you. Strengthen your foundation so you can weather the change ahead.
Changing Cultures, Changing Lives
Company culture is the unseen hand shaping your days. It’s in the air you breathe, the rhythm of your work, the way you feel when Monday rolls around. A thriving culture lifts you, challenges you, and makes you better.
The real work is in choosing. Choosing to walk away from environments that ask you to shrink. Choosing to find spaces that match your values and make you proud to belong. And when you do? You won’t just change where you work. You’ll change how you live.
Because the right culture doesn’t just serve profits. It serves people. And it builds futures. For its people and the business itself.
