How should I handle being a new Team Leader when my predecessor is making inappropriate comments about me, both online and in the workplace?

2020-11-01T10:24:06-05:00

I’m an incoming Team leader to my squad, I’ve been doing the job for 3 weeks now and I’ve run into many issues with the outgoing Team leader as he is in BLC about to PCS.
He has disrespected me in front of my private’s and gone as far as to write paragraphs about me on Facebook about his distain for me.
I haven’t said anything yet because he is a CPL. And I a SPC.
How should I proceed or am I just being too sensitive ? Thoughts?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2020 10:41 AM

2020-11-01T10:41:38-05:00

Ignore him. He's out the door. Your new team members will make their own impression of you as soon as he's gone. One day down the road, you'll probably outrank him and you can enjoy the sweet irony of it all

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2020 2:04 PM

2020-11-01T14:04:02-05:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I see three possible choices:
1 SFC Private RallyPoint Member advice. Ignore the situation and let the future take care of itself.
2 1SG Fred "SARGE" Bucci Take it up the line. I agree that would have a potential impact on the departing CPL. Could also result in you being perceived as one who runs for help before dealing with issues.
3 Have a documented meeting with the departing CPL. Get an explanation about the gossip being spread and the reason that you are being disrespected in front of troops in your team. If the explanation is unsat, options 1 or 2, with documentation in hand. Go to lowest level of COC to start the process if you do.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2020 2:37 PM

2020-11-01T14:37:15-05:00

Take the high road and ignore it.
If this CPL had anything of value to contribute towards your development or anyone's development as a leader, that would would have already happened in person.
That it did not tells you that the CPL had nothing of value to contribute.
One hopes he learns that in BLC and his next job.

Response by SFC Robert Walton made Nov 2 at 2020 10:16 AM

2020-11-02T10:16:57-05:00

Do not let this roll get all of your information from Face book and statements from your team and pass it up the COC. People like this young CPL are what causes Toxic leadership to breed and expand, let the COC deal with him/her. MTC

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2020 10:32 AM

2020-11-02T10:32:41-05:00

Ignore him and let your actions speak louder than his words. Being a team leaders is about taking care of your guys and training them up, being there for their needs and not worrying about yours. Leave the ego crap at the door...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 2 at 2020 10:51 AM

2020-11-02T10:51:21-05:00

I say bury him. Document what you have. Take screen shots of his on-line posts and rantings. Line up your ducks for an EO complaint and definitively end him.

I may be going against the grains of most the comments here, but too often I've seen the "it shall pass", or "they are getting out anyway", or "just let it be" as the major source of continuous problems of moral and working environment. Letting this go in this regard is a continuation of that.

There are two lines of thought about short timers.
1) They can do what they want because they are moving on soon and everyone will ignore them.
2) They will tow the line their final days because the system will hem them up with last minute negative administrative actions that will delay them moving on.

I prefer the later...........

Hell, skip your Chain of Command and go straight to IG. Then what will happen is it will flow back DOWN to your 1SG but not before IG went to the Company Commander.

No one is going to protect the career of a Corporal from a Specialist. What sucks for him is now this could be documented on an NCOER.

Don't let this sit, because someone like me is depending on you to speak up. Otherwise someone like me runs the risk of his career getting a black mark if actions like this turn into something else when there were warning signs all around.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 2 at 2020 11:13 AM

2020-11-02T11:13:36-05:00

SFC Private RallyPoint Member gave a great answer. Ignore him. However, his behavior is inappropriate, so you could also report his behaviors to your chain of command. If they seem unimpressed, you could talk with the unit first sergeant. Your team members will form their opinion of you based on your performance over time.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2020 7:03 AM

2020-11-03T07:03:59-05:00

Never allow injustice, always be the whistle blower. DON'T wait for someone else to fix a problem YOU found. Take pictures, get eyewitness recordings or statements and go STRAIGHT to your 1SG. if after a few days nothing is done, contact your CSM or even IG. Don't let toxic leadership continue when you can end it!

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Nov 3 at 2020 7:28 PM

2020-11-03T19:28:57-05:00

I would tell the squad leader and PSG. It doesn't matter if he's PCSing - if it's unprofessional and goes into the territory of harassment, EO or SHARP then definitely. Also he isn't out the door yet. That toxicity needs to be squashed so he doesn't pass it along to junior soldiers.