Log in or become a subscriber

There's "no worse response" to allegations of a toxic culture than sending out a "spokesperson" in place of a leader, according to a culture consultant who says this will only exacerbate reputational damage.

"A spokesperson is often used when an organisation doesn't wish to admit culpability for something that has not yet been proven," says culture specialist Colin D. Ellis in his new book, Detox Your Culture.

But what it "really" demonstrates is that senior leaders know their reputations are on the line "and they're not prepared to risk them until a report is finalised and they have someone or something else to complain about"...