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Toxic Teams Don’t Fix Themselves: Why Your Team Needs Structured Mediation

Updated: Jun 6

Is Your Team Quietly Falling Apart?


You’re noticing tension in your team, but no one’s really talking about it. The meetings feel tense, communication is off, and certain team members are checked out completely.


It’s tempting to hope it’ll work itself out over time. Maybe they’re just going through a rough patch? But here’s the truth: toxic team dynamics rarely resolve on their own.

And avoiding the issue often makes it worse.


At Nada Johnson Consulting & Counselling Services (NJCCS), Nada works with organizations across Canada to restore trust, safety, and functionality through structured workplace mediation. With over a decade of experience in conflict resolution and team wellbeing, Nada helps teams move from conflict and confusion to clarity and connection.


Here Are 5 Signs Your Team Needs Structured Mediation

  1. The Team Feels Divided

    Are there clear cliques, “sides,” or people who consistently get left out of decisions? Division in the team erodes collaboration and fosters resentment, and won’t be fixed by another team-building exercise.


  1. Conversations Are Unsafe or Unproductive

    Do people stay quiet out of fear? Or speak up only to be shut down? When team members don’t feel safe to express themselves honestly, the culture suffers. A structured mediator can create the conditions needed for real dialogue.


  1. Turnover or Absenteeism Is Rising

    When employees don’t feel valued or heard, they disengage—or leave. If your team has seen a spike in sick days, burnout, or resignations, deeper relational issues may be the cause.


  1. Leadership Is Unsure How to Intervene

    Even the most skilled managers can struggle to handle team conflict, especially when they’re close to the situation. Mediation offers a neutral, non-punitive space for the group to explore solutions together.


  1. Feedback Loops Are Broken

    If issues keep repeating and no one’s learning or improving from feedback, mediation can break the cycle. It helps teams build new communication norms and shared accountability.

➡ According to the Harvard Business Review (2023), unaddressed interpersonal conflict is one of the top predictors of team dysfunction and project failure. Intervening early with a skilled mediator protects both team health and organizational outcomes.


Why Structured Mediation Works

🔷 It surfaces root issues, not just symptoms

🔷It guides teams toward shared understanding

🔷 It creates space for every voice

🔷 It repairs relationships and builds long-term trust



How NJCCS Can Support Your Team

Nada offers trauma-informed, equity-centred mediation that goes beyond just “resolving conflict.” Her approach is grounded in deep listening, emotional safety, and cultural humility.


Whether you’re a nonprofit, small business, or corporate team, NJCCS can help create a work environment where people feel heard, respected, and ready to collaborate again.


Sessions are offered virtually or in person and tailored to your team’s needs—from one-time mediations to multi-session team rebuilds.


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Sources

Harvard Business Review. (2023). Managing Interpersonal Conflict at Work. Retrieved from https://hbr.org

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). (2023). Workplace Conflict and Resolution Survey. Retrieved from https://www.cipd.org



Want to Go Even Further With Your Team Development?

🔷Try Potential Unlocked™


If your team members need deeper growth in communication, leadership, or career clarity, explore our coaching and development division: Potential Unlocked™.


We offer:

  • Individual leadership and career coaching

  • Communication and conflict strategy sessions

  • Online dating empowerment coaching (because personal growth impacts professional life too!)


👉 Visit www.potentialunlocked.ca to learn more or book a free 10-minute consultation call.


Change starts with one courageous conversation. Let us help you lead it.

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