My long-time business coach, John Richie, says, "Your culture is what you tolerate at the fringes."

The fringes are anything you put up with or overlook in the way the people act / behave / show up.

Eventually, that behavior gets normalized and becomes part of your culture—for better or worse.

It might look like...

• Playful banter that turns to chronic sarcasm or disrespect.
• A culture with great processes turning into people doing it a certain way, "because we've always done it this way."
• Unchecked water-cooler talk turning into gossip and constant drama.

It might feel minor when you see it, but remember, one loose string at the fringe can unravel the whole tapestry.

Ask yourself...

• What are you tolerating that you shouldn't be?
• Why?
• Now, what's next?

—benj