Posted on Feb 9, 2014
"Toxic" Leadership.....Is a Leader truly Toxic or do you just not like the way they lead?
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<p>All too often, we hear the word "Toxic" thrown around at a leader (Officer, Warrant Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer) when someone doesn't like the way the act. But what truly makes them toxic? Is it because they yell a lot? Because they make use a curse word or two? Because they are demanding and enforce standards and discipline? Is it because they are loud? Or maybe it's because we don't like the way they are treating us and we think they are the problem?</p><p><br></p><p>Now, I am not saying that there are not Toxic leaders out there, because I am sure there are....but what I am saying that it seems to be today's buzz word that anyone who gets their feelings hurt to say "my leader is Toxic, that is why they are acting the way they do."</p><p><br></p><p>Maybe their leadership style is different than what we prefer or are accustom too, but think back to the peace time Army before OEF and OIF and those same "loud" / "Toxic" leaders maintained a standard and discipline that allowed us to rapidly conduct two wars at the same time. Back in those days Soldiers stood at Parade Rest to NCOs out of respect and courtesy for the respect for the position earned. Heck, junior NCOs stood at parade rest to senior NCOs. Soldiers stood at attention to officers. When junior Soldiers passed seniors, they gave a proper greeting (unit motto or simply "good morning, Sir).</p><p><br></p><p>Maybe we should look back at a lot of what the Army and Military has lost by utilizing the word "Toxic" against leaders who simply try to do the right think and keep the Military the profession it is.</p>
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Standards
Toxic Leadership
Standards Toxic Leadership
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 40
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I think it all depends if there is a healthy amount of respect. I had a boss once that was condescending, mean spirited, and felt good when others were put down. That is toxic leadership.<div><br></div><div>Let's say a leader does things in a way you wouldn't but he/she has respect for you and the culture is where people can speak up. I believe that is more difference of personality, not toxic leadership.</div>
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LTC (Join to see)
David...agreed
I would add too that the ability to forget once a point is made / emphasized and move on as a team helps separate those who are toxic and those with varying leadership style not everyone agrees with.
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I have to agree, it is thrown around too much. I think we need to let new soldiers know the difference right away, most of them still keep their feelings on their shoulder. They need to learn the difference in someone trying to hurt their career and someone giving direct to the point advice.
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LTC (Join to see)
SGT Carpenter...couldn't agree more....I think we need to go back to Basic Training and give Drill Sergeants back their pistol belts and whistles. If there was only a way we could do the same for Officers at our Basic Course as well. If we start with strong discipline and standards, mentoring and coaching, from the beginning, then I think Soldiers will be less likely to get the two confused. Also, I think we need to continue to enforce the understanding the difference through OES and NCOES.
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SFC Kevin Carpenter
Sir.. You hit the nail right on the head. Dont leave us, maybe one day ill get to serve with you when you hit LTC or COL!
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What truly makes a leader Toxic? Let me explain; If a leader shows up and acts negatively, does not support his soldiers by being Fair or Impartial. If he does not show his troops he cares for their welfare, then he is Toxic. That means he has to lead by example, needs to show his troops what he/she is asking, is somethign they have done previously. If a leader, takes the time, gets to know his troops, ensures the troops are in the know, is fair in his treatment, the troops will respond in turn. They will give their all to make that leader shine.
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<p>Two good read:</p><p> </p><p>http://www.carlisle.army.mil/usawc/dclm/Toxic_Leadership.pdf </p><div class="Lt"><a class="d-s ot-anchor jp" tabIndex="0" href="http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA431785" target="_blank"><u><font color="#0066cc">http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA431785</font></u></a></div>
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1SG (Join to see)
Good post MSG. If you didn't post the second link I would have. I have been passing that one around for a while. It was a real eye opener for me. When people talk toxic leader your first thought always goes to yelling, cussing and belittling but sometimes toxic is some much deeper.
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Glad to see the discussion on this continue as it is healthy and will truly benefit the leaders of our future military.<br>
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CPT (Join to see)
Sir, I definitely agree! I think addressing this issue properly would also go a long way to helping us retain some of our best and brightest leaders as well. I have known of several excellent officers and senior NCOs get burnt out and disheartened after working in some toxic environments.
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<p>MAJ Oberg:</p><p><br></p><p>Sir, respectfully I will share with you that as a WO1 I had a MAJ who went out of his way to belittle and disrespect me in front of the enlisted.</p><p><br></p><p>When I went from CW2 to 2LT CC I had a MAJ who lied and checked the block on my OER that he counseled me and he did not.</p><p><br></p><p>I had to request an open door policy to see the Chief of Staff, due to both the Lead Chaplain and my CDR wanted me to sign paper work to go to the IRR.</p><p><br></p><p>V/R</p><p><br></p><p>CH (CPT) Davis</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>http://www.npr.org/2014/01/06/259422776/army-takes-on-its-own-toxic-leaders</p><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/01/03/toxic-leadership-3-efd348d20ca6bf4d03e66ae90968de4adc5664f8.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/01/06/259422776/army-takes-on-its-own-toxic-leaders" target="_blank">Army Takes On Its Own Toxic Leaders</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Could destructive leadership be contributing to the rise in soldiers who commit suicide?</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
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CPO Greg Frazho
That was a very interesting read, Chaps. I wasn't aware Big Army was doing targeted and now across-the-board 360 degree reviews of commanders. Were I them, I would further expand it to the executive officers and senior enlisted leaders, but that would create a truckload more paperwork and analysis then there already is. But at least they're aware of it, acknowledge it and are doing something about it.
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CH (CPT) Heather Davis
Chief:
The reality is checking the block on leadership creates a derailment of burden of command. The quality of leaders lack the shepherd quality. We advanced too early and now we are raising a new generation of transactional leaders.
The reality is checking the block on leadership creates a derailment of burden of command. The quality of leaders lack the shepherd quality. We advanced too early and now we are raising a new generation of transactional leaders.
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A toxic leader is somebody who can change self-motivated, patriotic and highly capable service members with a high potential for success in the military and drive them away from any desire to serve in any capacity LTC (Join to see)
Toxic leaders could be somebody like the narcissistic and sadistic Niedermeyer in the Animal House movie; but, frequently it tends to be leaders who belittle those who hold opinions which differ from their own. Toxic leaders surround themselves with yes men, willingly take credit for what others do and push blame onto subordinates very readily.SSgt (Join to see) SSG Leonard J W.
Thanks for tagging me SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas
Toxic leaders could be somebody like the narcissistic and sadistic Niedermeyer in the Animal House movie; but, frequently it tends to be leaders who belittle those who hold opinions which differ from their own. Toxic leaders surround themselves with yes men, willingly take credit for what others do and push blame onto subordinates very readily.SSgt (Join to see) SSG Leonard J W.
Thanks for tagging me SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas
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It depends on that unit. Soldiers will always base their feelings off of how the leaders leads or that leader's personality. It will always fall on either side of the spectrum. Plus I think if that leader isn't taking the time to get to know his/her soldiers of the unit, then that leader really has its back up against a wall. I have no problem with them enforcing the standard in terms of discipline and so forth but if that leader doesn't show appreciation for what their soldiers do for that particular leader then all I can say is that it makes it easier for the leader to be branded as being toxic.
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MAJ Oberg-<br>I think this is a great discussion point and I agree with much of what is being said on this post. I believe, like many, that we are getting danger close to taking the concept of a "toxic leader" too far and applying that tag to every leader that a subordinate takes issue with. I have been fortunate enough in my career that I had some absolutely outstanding leaders who have and continue to mentor me- these are the leaders that I try and emulate. However, I do believe there are toxic leaders in the military and just as in many of the posted articles, there are particular behavioral traits that identify them. Working for a leader who has high expectations is quite different from working for a leader who accepts nothing as "good enough" or a "good start"- let's be honest, how often do we hit our boss' intent on the first go- there is always refinement to be had. But the cornerstone of the Army's definition of leadership is "influence". As we have all learned in books and experience, you cannot lead two people the exact same way- and great leaders take the time to know their subordinates and make adjustments to their leadership style and interactions to develop that "influence". This profession is a team effort, we all have a role to fill and if we want to be successful, we all have to do our job to the best of our ability. But when people genuinely detest being at work, are getting physically ill walking into the office, and eventually stop caring, I believe these are the fruits of toxic leadership. Thanks Sir! <br>
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HOLY COW! I am actually just destroyed looking at this article. I find this disturbing to levels I can't even describe with words. Toxic Leaders? Really? Have I seen some bad leaders? Oh yea, they are out there and always will be. They will get weeded out over time. <div>The thing I am hung up on is:</div><div><br></div><div><span style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-size: 12px;">"Back in those days Soldiers stood at Parade Rest to NCOs out of respect and courtesy for the respect for the position earned. Heck, junior NCOs stood at parade rest to senior NCOs. Soldiers stood at attention to officers. When junior Soldiers passed seniors, they gave a proper greeting (unit motto or simply "good morning, Sir)."</span><br></div><div><span style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-size: 12px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-size: 12px;">Are you serious? Soldiers no longer do this? And no one sees a problem with that? Somebody please tell me I just read this wrong!</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-size: 12px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-size: 12px;"><br></span></div>
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