Leaders are passive and avoid confrontation at all costs

Working in a chaotic organisation where skills are prioritised over attitude or values, and where no one is held accountable for their actions, can feel aimless and disheartening. Employees soon realise that while they may be surrounded by technically competent colleagues, there is no shared sense of purpose or standards. The lack of alignment around values creates an environment where everyone operates independently, following their own whims and preferences without concern for the collective goals of the organisation. It becomes a place where mediocrity thrives, as there is no expectation for anyone to do more than the bare minimum, and no one pushes for excellence or improvement.

Leaders in this environment are passive and avoid confrontation at all costs. They may speak about inclusivity and flexibility, but their refusal to correct poor behaviour or low performance sends a clear message that standards don’t matter. Rewards and sanctions are either nonexistent or inconsistently applied, leaving high-performing employees feeling undervalued and disengaged. Leaders fail to address issues directly, preferring to maintain a façade of harmony by avoiding difficult conversations. Their unwillingness to hold anyone accountable leads to a breakdown in trust, as employees realise that no one will be recognised for going above and beyond—or challenged for falling short.

Employees in this type of organisation are expected to "do their own thing" without much oversight or guidance, which can initially feel liberating but quickly becomes disorienting. Without clear expectations or accountability, individuals who care about the quality of their work or the success of the organisation can feel isolated and frustrated. They see colleagues coasting by with minimal effort, knowing there are no consequences for underperformance. This lack of structure makes it hard to collaborate effectively, as everyone operates on different wavelengths, with no shared vision or goals. In time, this chaos leads to disengagement, as the people who genuinely care about their work start to feel their efforts are futile.

Over time, the atmosphere of “everyone does what they want” becomes toxic, as the absence of correction or constructive feedback erodes any sense of responsibility or teamwork. Morale declines, particularly for those who value progress, improvement, and accountability. The organisation becomes a place where people can "get away with" poor behaviour, missed deadlines, or subpar work, creating a culture of complacency. Talented individuals either become demotivated or leave in search of an environment that rewards effort and fosters growth, while the organisation continues to stumble without direction or cohesion, undermined by its own refusal to set clear expectations or correct course.