From toxic to brave organizations: Transforming power cultures into relational cultures

The fundamental barrier to achieving excellence in well-being and belonging within organizations is the inherent oppression embedded in organizational cultures that perpetuate the toxic aspects of masculinity. I utilize a three-layer, three-process model of Organizational Culture to characterize these environments as Toxic Power Cultures and suggest Brave Relational Cultures as a viable alternative. I advocate for a transformative feminist approach through relational cultural theory and positive organizational scholarship (e.g., positive social capital, high-quality connections, and Appreciative Inquiry). This practical and comprehensive strategy for organizational transformation addresses the root causes of toxic phenomena and fosters environments that promote sustainable organizational success, engagement, well-being, and belonging for all members of the organization.