Trust Under Siege: Five Ways Workplace Culture Is Weaponized

Part 2 of when company culture is weaponized against employees

Giada Canu/ Stocksy

The weaponization of culture is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly. In my previous piece, I discussed the dark side of culture and why it deserves our attention.

Having witnessed this troubling trend in my consulting work, I understand the dangers of organizations manipulating culture for their own gain. It’s a profound betrayal of trust that leaves lasting scars.

When culture is taken to the extreme, it becomes a weapon. Tribal companies can quickly transform and become cult-like, while aggressive workplaces use high performance as a tool to instill fear and paranoia.

Last time, I delved into how culture can be weaponized, causing disillusionment and frustration. In this follow-up piece, I will explore five more ways organizations manipulate culture for their own benefit. This is not just an exploration but a call to action for healthier and more authentic workplace cultures.

Weapon 6: The ‘Above and Beyond’ Expectation

There’s a reason why we encourage e…