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Detox Your Culture by Colin D Ellis
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Am I the problem ? For most of us , the answer is no . Most of us want to bring the best version of ourselves to work . We want to do the right thing ; we want to be professional , and we want to be kind to others . However , it ’ s helpful to pause and reflect on whether we ’ re achieving these things on a daily basis .
Detox Your Culture encourages us to take this introspective view , especially if we are a part of the leadership team . Colin suggests that one cannot assume that people who enter leadership positions come with the necessary soft skills that are the mainstays of a vibrant culture . He points out that some managers may require training on how to live the values of an organisation . So even if they aren ’ t the problem , merely lacking soft skills could cause them to contribute to and inadvertently create a toxic culture without even realising it .
One of the most valuable parts of this book is the section that details what makes up the four different types of cultures which is handy if you ’ d like to know where your corporate culture sits . Colin also shares how to tell when a culture turns toxic and the signs to look out for before a culture turns toxic . He reminds us that we all have a role to play in building and maintaining a vibrant culture and that it is something that must be constantly worked on .
by Joy Namdarian
EA to the Chief Technology Officer , AusNet Services
60 Executive PA | Autumn Issue 2025