What happens when challenge turns into constant criticism?

In this episode of Culture Bites, Dominic Gourley explores oppositional culture — a workplace dynamic where fault-finding, defensiveness, and debate become the norm. While healthy challenge is essential for performance, oppositional cultures take it too far. Ideas are quickly picked apart, meetings become battlegrounds, and people earn influence by being the sharpest critic in the room.

Over time, this leads to reduced motivation, slower change, safe (and often mediocre) decisions, and even strained customer relationships.

If you’re leading through defensiveness or navigating a culture where every idea gets shot down, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening and what to do about it.

See full show notes: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/resources/culture-insights-blog/oppositional-culture-when-challenge-turns-defensive/

Learn more about our Culture Consulting Solutions: https://www.human-synergistics.com.au/our-services/consulting/strategy-and-culture-consulting-solutions/