Posted on Mar 10, 2015
What is the best weapon against toxic leadership?
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We've all experienced this at some point or another, whether in a civilian or military environment. I witnessed some severely toxic personalities while in Afghanistan, that led to direct interference with our operations.
In your opinion, what is the best way to combat toxic leadership? Are we simply not paying attention to character and integrity when recruiting? Is there an underlying culture issue that leads these individuals to succeed and gain more responsibilities, and therefore, more opportunities to cause problems?
In your opinion, what is the best way to combat toxic leadership? Are we simply not paying attention to character and integrity when recruiting? Is there an underlying culture issue that leads these individuals to succeed and gain more responsibilities, and therefore, more opportunities to cause problems?
Toxic Leadership
Leadership
Officer
Enlisted
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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That is one of the main problems with toxic leadership - they rarely show their toxicity around superiors.
I have a friend who ran into toxic leaders while deployed. She decided to fall on her sword for her soldiers & call the leader on their toxicity. It did not bode well for her on her reviews, thus causing her to have to hold out on promotion to E-7, but I feel that she did the right thing. She needed to show the subordinates that not all leadership is like that & they needed to see someone stand up for them - at that person's peril.
Sometimes, that's all that can be done. If the CoC won't listen, then you have to take action yourself - once everything is tried, of course.
I have a friend who ran into toxic leaders while deployed. She decided to fall on her sword for her soldiers & call the leader on their toxicity. It did not bode well for her on her reviews, thus causing her to have to hold out on promotion to E-7, but I feel that she did the right thing. She needed to show the subordinates that not all leadership is like that & they needed to see someone stand up for them - at that person's peril.
Sometimes, that's all that can be done. If the CoC won't listen, then you have to take action yourself - once everything is tried, of course.
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TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn
The shame is that the superiors know these assholes. As long as they don't rock the boat it's full speed ahead the heck with the troops. The good leaders knew why they were always around kissing ass, instead of doing their jobs and replaced them.
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SSgt (Join to see)
And taking full credit for what their subordinates were doing w/o mentioning them at all!
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Toxic followership?
Quid Pro Quo on these things does not work and fighting back with similar behavior never works. I found myself in a similar situation a few years back and just continued to record notes and emails until it could be brought to the attention of superiors. I was pulled out of that unit and given a new opportunity and as far as I can tell, those involved did not have their careers favorably looked at.
Record everything and keep notes. Documented items with email is ideal.
Quid Pro Quo on these things does not work and fighting back with similar behavior never works. I found myself in a similar situation a few years back and just continued to record notes and emails until it could be brought to the attention of superiors. I was pulled out of that unit and given a new opportunity and as far as I can tell, those involved did not have their careers favorably looked at.
Record everything and keep notes. Documented items with email is ideal.
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CPT (Join to see)
I agree, Sir. That was actually exactly the method we adopted, since that was all we could do really. It's unfortunate that something like that had more impact on morale than anything else throughout the entire experience.
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SSgt (Join to see)
It's hard to combat a paper trail, especially one comprised of printed off emails & documents from said offenders!!!
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