Culture Is the Soil: 15 Signs Your Organization Is Healthy (or Not)

Over the last few years, it’s become increasingly difficult for churches and organizations to clearly define their culture. Workforce shifts, changing expectations, high turnover, and a rising generation of leaders have all contributed.

Many leaders are quietly asking:
Is the culture that got us here the one that will take us forward?
Do we even have an accurate view of our current culture?

I recently sat down with my friend and Rukes Group Alliance Partner, Justin Erickson of Hardwired Coaching, for a conversation that challenged the way we think about organizational health.

One idea in particular stuck out:

Culture is the agriculture of your organization.

Most leaders focus on the seeds: vision, mission, strategy. But even the best seeds won’t grow in poor soil. If the soil is hard, shallow, or full of weeds, growth will always be limited.

We see this play out all the time in staffing and organizational health:
Culture eats vision for breakfast.

At Rukes Group, we believe hiring is about more than filling a role—it’s about cultural alignment. We call candidates “Culture Carriers” because they don’t just do a job; they shape and sustain the environment around them.

You can hire an exceptional leader, but if the soil isn’t healthy, they won’t flourish.

So if you want to improve your culture, you have to start by measuring it - honestly.

Below are 15 indicators that reveal whether your culture is drifting toward toxicity or moving toward health. Rate each area from 0 (toxic) to 10 (healthy), then ask:

• Where are our lowest scores? 

• What patterns are emerging? 

• What root issues are driving them? 

Culture doesn’t change by treating symptoms. It changes when you address the soil beneath the surface.

15 Culture Indicators

1. TRUST

Broken → Reciprocal
Trust is the foundation. When it’s low, people protect themselves and question motives. Healthy cultures extend trust, assume the best, and operate with mutual respect.
(Romans 12:10)

2. EXPECTATIONS

Unfair → Realistic
Unclear or unrealistic expectations drain morale. Healthy teams define success clearly and set goals that stretch without crushing.
(Luke 14:28)

3. COMMUNICATION

Confusing → Clear
Where communication is inconsistent or vague, people fill gaps with assumptions. Clarity builds confidence.
(Ephesians 4:15)

4. RESPONSIBILITY

Possessiveness → Ownership
Toxic cultures protect territory. Healthy cultures take ownership beyond roles and act for the good of the whole.
(Romans 12:8)

5. SACRIFICE

Selfish → Selfless
Is the culture about personal preference or shared mission? Healthy teams choose “us” over “me.”
(Philippians 2:3-4)

6. HONOR

Stingy → Generous
Where appreciation is rare, morale suffers. Healthy cultures celebrate wins and recognize effort consistently.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11)

7. CONFLICT

Unresolved → Resolved
Unaddressed conflict drains energy. Healthy teams deal with issues directly and move forward.
(Matthew 18:15)

8. LEADERSHIP

Authoritarian → Freeing
Control produces compliance. Empowerment produces commitment. Healthy leaders develop and release others.
(Mark 10:42-43)

9. MEETINGS

Wasteful → Productive
Meetings reflect culture. Healthy ones are clear, purposeful, and lead to action.
(Proverbs 15:22)

10. RESULTS

Inadequate → Consistent Progress
Results reveal culture. Ongoing underperformance often points to deeper issues beneath the surface.
(Colossians 3:23-24)

11. QUALITY OF WORK

Bare Minimum → Excellent
Disengagement lowers standards. Healthy cultures create ownership and pride in the work.
(Ecclesiastes 9:10)

12. ACCOUNTABILITY

Avoided → Initiated
When accountability is missing, blame rises. Healthy teams hold themselves (and each other) to clear standards.
(Proverbs 27:17)

13. ATTITUDE

Complaining → Resilient
Chronic negativity signals deeper problems. Healthy teams maintain perspective even under pressure.
(Romans 5:3-4)

14. WORK ENVIRONMENT

Draining → Energizing
Work doesn’t have to be easy, but it should feel meaningful. Healthy cultures create energy, not dread.
(1 Corinthians 15:58)

15. UNITY

Divided → Integrated
Silos and factions weaken organizations. Healthy cultures align around mission, values, and direction.
(Ephesians 4:3)

Todd Rukes + Justin Erickson