Living by Experience

Living by Experience

Share this post

Living by Experience
Living by Experience
Redefining Toxic Company Culture: Stories from Personal Experience

Redefining Toxic Company Culture: Stories from Personal Experience

A Deep Dive into Accountability, Employee Investment, and Creating a More Positive Work Environment

Wilko van de Kamp's avatar
Wilko van de Kamp
Aug 02, 2024
∙ Paid
1

Share this post

Living by Experience
Living by Experience
Redefining Toxic Company Culture: Stories from Personal Experience
Share

a man sitting at a desk with his head in his hands

After my post a few weeks ago, I received several kind messages from people who enjoyed what I had to say. Thank you! You know who you are.

The Harsh Reality of Job Loss During the Pandemic

During the pandemic I lost my job not just once, twice. By "job," I mean larger consulting engagements that typically consume more than full-time hours. Each loss taught me invaluable lessons about company culture and the importance of accountability. Without naming any names, I’ll share a few today.

The first job ended because my rate was renegotiated to less than half of the original, and overall commitments weren't met. Accountability is crucial in any professional setting, and when it's lacking, it becomes impossible to maintain a healthy working relationship.

The second job ended due to a toxic environment where no progress was made. I found myself caught between a client paying me for work, they didn't want me to do. Top that with a disengaged internal organization resistant to change, and you’ve…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Living by Experience to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Living by Experience
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share