Culture is defined by the worst behavior tolerated

It’s easy to think workplace culture is about perks, values, or inspirational posters on the wall. But culture is what people experience, not what’s declared.

Culture is defined by the worst behavior you’re willing to tolerate.

Let’s say someone on your team regularly belittles others in meetings. They interrupt, dismiss feedback, and dominate conversations. You know it’s happening. People have hinted at it.
But nothing changes.

That silence becomes the standard.

The truth is:

• If you let one person get away with harm because they're "brilliant" or "irreplaceable," you're saying performance matters more than people.

• If managers witness bias but avoid addressing it, they're signaling that belonging is optional.

• If HR only acts when there's a formal complaint, you're reinforcing that psychological safety isn’t a priority, compliance is.

These aren’t isolated incidents. They’re messages.
And over time, they become the culture.

The fix isn’t punitive, it’s proactive.
Accountability doesn’t mean punishment.
It means creating a workplace where people trust that values are more than just words.

Culture isn’t built in an all-teams meetings.
It’s shaped in who speaks up, who’s believed, and who’s held accountable.

If you want a healthy culture, start by asking:

What’s the worst behavior we still tolerate, and why?