What Is Toxic Culture? And What Can Your Department Do About It?

Dr. Candace Ashby, a battalion chief for the Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department. joins Mike Goldstein on The C.A.N. Report to tackle toxic culture in all its forms. They look at the "10% vs 90%" problem, informal leadership, accountability, and management vs. leadership. They also discuss officer development, psychological safety, and practical steps chiefs and company officers can take now. Ashby explains why frontline officers hold the most power to shape culture. She also touches on where training and promotion systems fail and how small, consistent interventions move organizations forward. The episode includes peer support resources and advice on building trust.