How Culture Has Become a Powerful Manipulation Weapon

The dark side of workplace culture – and why we need to pay more attention

Giada Canu/ Stocksy

The conversation about workplace culture often focuses on the bright side, like being purpose-driven or nurturing psychological safety. However, my concern is that we don't address its dark side, too.

Culture has become weaponized lately. While some companies aim to create a positive workplace environment, many exploit culture to shield themselves or hide their true intentions. They claim to care about people, but their actions are driven by control and self-interest.

By twisting words for personal gain, weaponizing culture erodes trust and teamwork. It forces employees to conform or else face isolation and punishment. Even though nearly 80% of job seekers prioritize company culture over salary, only a fraction feel connected to their organization's culture, as per Gallup's findings.

Let's explore how culture is weaponized, its impact on employees, and strategies to ensure a healthy culture.

Weapon 1: Twisting Values for Manipulation

Values are guiding principles that sh…