Blame Culture Is Toxic. Here’s How to Stop It.

We don’t even notice how often we do it. And our brains interpret blame the same way they interpret a physical attack. When we’re blamed, our prefrontal cortices effectively shut down and direct all our energy to defending ourselves, which, ironically, sabotages our ability to solve the problem for which we are being blamed.

Blame also kills healthy, accountable behaviors. Nobody will take accountability for problems if they think they’ll be punished for doing so.

Switch your mindset to “We’re all still learning,” and share your mistakes.

• We all make mistakes from time to time. It’s what makes us human. No good comes from blaming and shaming each other for our imperfect nature.
• You benefited from learning from your mistakes, so allow others to do the same. Use problems and mistakes as teaching moments, not shaming moments.
• If you’re a manager, discuss your own mistakes and the lessons learned from them. Doing so creates a psychological safe space that will encourage others to follow suit.