How do you define AND identify a toxic leader?

The Army is a breeding ground for toxic leaders.  Why you ask? I have read a lot and written a lot on this topic.  Here is why.  The Military is a results based organization.  Now lets look at a toxic leader, toxic leaders are focused on short term goals.  Senior leaders look across their formation and see the "Results" (short term goals) What they don't see is how they got the results.  I read a paper written by a LTC at the war college.  She defined twelve types of Toxic leadership.  But there are blends of the types.  Here is why the Army breeds this style of leadership.  Remember the Seniors only see the results.  Since they don't see the method used they reward or praise the leader for getting the job done.  Here is the worse part. New Soldiers or junior Soldiers who are still developing thier own leadership style see how their leader conducts business, sees the reward for doing business the toxic way, and figures that it is ok and models them self after the "successful" leader.  Since we move around frequently, it helps mask the toxic leader unlike in the civilian sector.  Which is why it's easier to detect because they typically stay in one job for years.  I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I won a writing award on this very subject.  If you like to read my paper, email me at [login to see] .mil .  I could elaborate more but you get the gist of it.  Now, one more point I will make.  Don't beat me up on this one, a study conducted on major military historical figures classified over 80 of them as toxic.  What would you say if maybe, this type of leadership is sometimes needed in the Army?  Like I said, don't kill me, hear me out.  I am on the fence with this.  What would the outcome of WWII had been if Patton wasn't toxic.  (Study said based on info, he was very toxic). Would we have been as successful in the European theater?  Think about what all he did, right or wrong.  Just something to think about.

A poor leader is a poor leader, I don't think that definition needs clarifying. Now a "toxic" leader is a poor leader whose actions or inactions cause residual effects throughout the unit. The poor leader to whom you can trace a lot of your woes. That's where the term "toxic leader" came from, it replies to the spreading effect, ie toxic. It's not a blanket term for any bad leader. It's for the poor leader whose dirtbaggery is spreading, causing residual effects throughout the unit.

I have seen this in the National Guard. I don't think a lot of leaders do this on purpose. I have found that a lot of leaders don't know what they are really doing and then they don't know what right looks like. They simple roll with it. I also blame their leadership for letting them continue in such a fashion. I have learned much from being mentored. Mentoring soldiers has become a lost art in the army. I can't stand leaders that just think you will figure it out. That is why they often face challenges in their leadership. If you are in such a unit. BE THE CHANGE. I have had one PL that was not suitable for his position and would have been a disaster if he would have been in combat. To remedy this I choose to become a PL myself to lead soldiers. I knew what soldiers needed in leadership from being a NCO for about 8 years and now I am that officer that enables the NCOs and steps out of their way. I also challenge my NCOs to develop the next generation of leaders that are coming up. I always remind them that are great NCOs and I thank them but I also remind that they will not always be that squad leader or team leader. That SPC or PVT will be your legacy when you leave.