🏴‍☠️ Are You the Culture Problem?

Hey, it’s Kinza.

In today’s issue.

1. Why the founder sets the tone and how I nearly got it wrong

2. 10 toxic leadership styles and how to reset each one

3. A practical checklist to audit your leadership before it costs you your team

4. And more…

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Deep Dive

The CEO’s job is to define the culture.

But what happens when you buy a business and realize it runs in a way that goes against who you are?

I thought everyone wanted ownership. Autonomy. Clear values. Turns out, not everyone does.

Some people thrive in chaos. Some prefer command and control. And when I brought in my systems and expectations, I didn’t realize how deep their old habits ran.

Then I layered on 90% debt with a bank loan.

The entire company shifted overnight. We had to get leaner. More focused. Faster. And when the market changed, the pressure mounted.

We were working harder than ever. I started making snap decisions. Micromanaging. Running on adrenaline. The culture followed me, not my values.

That’s what this week is about. Not shame. Not blame. Just a mirror.

The Mirror Test: 10 Types of Toxic Bosses

I wrote about this on LinkedIn and 115K+ impressions later…here’s what to look for and how to shift:

1. Micromanager
   Trusts no one. Controls every detail.
   Reset: Start delegating real outcomes, not just tasks. Ask your team how they’d solve it, then back them.
   Clue: You’re making all the decisions. People stop offering ideas.

2. Ghost
   Gone when it matters, only shows up to correct.
   Reset: Be visible in hard moments. Show up early, not just when things break.
   Clue: Feedback is vague. Morale drops when things get hard.

3. Spotlight
   Claims wins, disappears in losses.
   Reset: Share the mic. Praise in public. Own problems privately.
   Clue: Team wins feel like solo performances. No shared pride.

4. Volcano
   Explodes under stress. Kills urgency with fear.
   Reset: Lower your voice when tension rises. Breathe. Let clarity lead.
   Clue: People brace when you enter the room.

5. Puppet
   Only serves above, not below.
   Reset: Back your team when it counts. Protect them, even when it’s uncomfortable.
   Clue: No one pushes back. People keep their heads down.

6. Gossiper
   Talks behind backs. Fuels drama.
   Reset: Stop backchanneling. Redirect gossip into real feedback.
   Clue: Rumors outpace updates. Trust is thin.

7. Blamer
   Never owns mistakes. Deflects fast.
   Reset: Go first with accountability. Lead by example.
   Clue: Everyone’s defensive. No one feels safe to fail.

8. Favoritist
   Rewards loyalty, not results.
   Reset: Create clear performance expectations. Let merit win.
   Clue: High performers leave. Low performers stay.

9. Overloader
   Burns out stars by leaning on them too hard.
   Reset: Respect capacity. Ask, “What would you drop to add this?”
   Clue: Your best people are tired. Delegation is messy.

10. Iceberg
    Cold. Distant. Unreadable.
    Reset: Share context. Let people see what you care about. Be human.
    Clue: People guess what matters. No one feels seen.

Takeaways

Too often I talk to business owners who are overwhelmed.

Making every decision. Team checked out.

They’re not cruel…just exhausted.

Culture eventually breaks under the pressure of change.

We usually rebuild with four basics:

• Two-way feedback (360s, team surveys, informal feedback channels)

• Visible wins (leading and lagging indicators for every functional area)

• Boundaries (roles and responsibilities clearly defined along + RACI)

• Safe delegation (align on milestones, check-ins, and escalation process)

You don’t build culture by dragging people along.

You lead clearly, then see who wants in.

If you’re dreading Monday or worked all weekend, take this as a sign.

Before You Go: Two Ways I Can Help

1. Interested in how much of your life you can get back? Hit reply.

2. Meet with me 1:1, whether you plan to sell your business now or later. Schedule a free consultation.

See you next week.

-Kinza