Entrepreneurs think to themselves, “with all the chaos, everyone needs to understand that there are going to be things that we say or do that are not appropriate. We can’t worry about how everybody acts in every meeting. It is just the nature of the beast and we have bigger fish to fry.” In the chaos of your venture, you often find yourself saying things, doing things and allowing things that would be taboo in a normal environment. There are certain behaviors that have a lasting effect beyond the moment they occur. With these behaviors, unless you eliminate them completely, they can set poor standards, establish values contrary to the interests of the company, and create a toxic culture that can be hard to clean up.

“You must establish a set of ideals and perspectives that are non-negotiable for everyone.” 

• Speaking Negatively about Customers. When you or people in your organization say things like, “Our customers are clueless” or “We can sell that to them,” it sends a clear message not only of disrespect, but ignorance about the role customers play in your company’s success.
• Speaking Negatively About Employees. If you or others in your organization speak negatively about employees, it sends the message that the company does not value people and is only in the business of advancing people when it serves the company’s needs.
• Believing There Is No Competition. Everyone has competition. In a complex global economy with increasingly sophisticated technology, competition can occur almost immediately and from any corner of the world. If you or your company believe that you have no competition, or that no one can do what you do, you risk being viewed by vendors, investors and other needed resources, as naïve, inexperienced and ill-equipped to face the realities of doing business in today’s world.
• Making Exceptions for the CEO. One of the most damaging behaviors of a young company is demonstrating preferential treatment for its leader. When your team believes that your needs come first, or at their expense, or that the rank and file’s needs are less important than the needs of the leader, it creates an undercurrent of resentment at all levels of employment.

You must also have zero tolerance for anyone in the organization who exhibits these behaviors—including yourself.