Small Leadership Behaviors That Can Negatively Impact Company Culture

In this Forbes Coaches Council expert panel, leaders explore how small, everyday behaviors can unintentionally shape—or erode—company culture. While these moments may seem insignificant on their own, patterns of behavior can quietly undermine trust, engagement, and psychological safety over time.

Kathy Shanley’s contribution focuses on withholding and excluding—two subtle leadership behaviors that can leave team members feeling undervalued or hesitant to share ideas. Her perspective emphasizes that building trust doesn’t require oversharing; it requires transparency, self-awareness, and the willingness to explain what can be shared, what cannot, and why. These small adjustments can make a meaningful difference in how teams experience leadership and culture.