Posted on Aug 29, 2021
What can I do at my level to fix a toxic environment?
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I have been trying my unit for little over 2 months now and the moral and work environment is so low. My main concern is the health and welfare of my soldiers first. Most of then have already talked to me about going to IG because they feel that the unit doesn't care about them as humans. This unit is by far the worst I have seen with a fraternization problem, disregards to profiles and other regulations, time taken from family members because of poor planning or organization. I can't stop a soldier from going to IG but I also feel like I can't properly help the soldiers. I know some time you have to suck it up but when something is wrong I cant just sit back if there is a way to fix it.
Toxic Leadership
Problem Solving
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 16
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RP serves many needs, but soliciting answers to questions such as this must be at the top of the list. Thank you for reminding us.
I had a couple of minor incidents as a butter bar and was ill equipped to handle them. We spent a helluva lot of time in OCS learning weapons and tactics, but little about leadership. Those were lessons that would come with experience (usually the consequences of mistakes) and observing others. The fact that you've come here looking for answers gives me the impression that you haven't had any luck garnering wisdom and support from your superiors (or that you've hidden the problem from them - don't!)
Toxicity grows in quiet. You must acknowledge it and deal with it openly and honestly. "What we have here is a failure to communicate" is oft quoted from the movie Cool Hand Luke because it is so relevant.
There's little more I can offer without knowing more, however I will offer one last comment that may or may not apply. Your job as a leader is to provide your subordinates with the training, equipment, and clear direction they need to perform their mission effectively. They will work for you just as hard as you work for them. If they perceive that you are failing in your duty, the result may be perceived as a toxic environment
I had a couple of minor incidents as a butter bar and was ill equipped to handle them. We spent a helluva lot of time in OCS learning weapons and tactics, but little about leadership. Those were lessons that would come with experience (usually the consequences of mistakes) and observing others. The fact that you've come here looking for answers gives me the impression that you haven't had any luck garnering wisdom and support from your superiors (or that you've hidden the problem from them - don't!)
Toxicity grows in quiet. You must acknowledge it and deal with it openly and honestly. "What we have here is a failure to communicate" is oft quoted from the movie Cool Hand Luke because it is so relevant.
There's little more I can offer without knowing more, however I will offer one last comment that may or may not apply. Your job as a leader is to provide your subordinates with the training, equipment, and clear direction they need to perform their mission effectively. They will work for you just as hard as you work for them. If they perceive that you are failing in your duty, the result may be perceived as a toxic environment
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you CPT Jack Durish . Because of the fraternization with in my unit it is hard for me to address my direct COC. However all my soldiers in my squad have been discard as being unwanted soldiers due to UCMJ actions from years ago. Instead of NCOs stepping up and being a leader or a mentor they have been viewed as high school popular kids. Simular to your last comment you stated.
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CPT Jack Durish
SGT (Join to see) - You are receiving some other good responses here and I'll defer commenting again until we see how the discussion trends
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You fix what you can, as you can. But realize, take it to heart that you cannot fix the entire situation. Take care of your soldiers. Listen to them, show that you care and take the steps that you normally would were it any other unit. You make sure that you are part of the solution rather than the problem.
If there is fraternization you do your best to make sure that it is not happening with any of your soldiers. If a soldier under you has a profile you make sure that they know how to handle that situation and to speak up when the boundaries of it are stepped over. You do your best as far as planning going but understand you cannot fix the entire unit. Document, document, document and have your soldiers do the same. Sometimes you don't need to stop a soldier from going to the IG, you need to encourage it.
If there is fraternization you do your best to make sure that it is not happening with any of your soldiers. If a soldier under you has a profile you make sure that they know how to handle that situation and to speak up when the boundaries of it are stepped over. You do your best as far as planning going but understand you cannot fix the entire unit. Document, document, document and have your soldiers do the same. Sometimes you don't need to stop a soldier from going to the IG, you need to encourage it.
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SGT (Join to see)
I totally agree with you and exactly feel and do everything in this comment. Just wish there was more I could do sometimes
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SSG Brian G.
SGT (Join to see) - We do what we can. But you are hampered by your rank and position within your unit.
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SSG Bill McCoy
I agree EXCEPT in the matter of encouraging anyone to go to the IG. The last thing you want to hear is, "Did you tell (or encourage) him/her to go to the IG," because an NCO is expected to try to solve the issue THROUGH his/her COC. If the SGT thinks that's the only way to solve an issue, especially fraternization, then the most he should do is to not DISCOURAGE a visit to the IG. He should tell someone who says they ARE going to the IG to, "... make sure you have your ducks all lined up," but never say, "Yeah, good idea. Go see the IG," even if he/she attempted ot solve it within the COC.
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You take care of your troops. You take the bullshit sabot rounds coming their way. If they want to go to IG, let them.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thats all I can do at this point. My soldiers have told me multiple times that they have never felt like they mattered until I got there.
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MSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) then you have already made a difference and effected change. Good on you.
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