Toxic Leadership Thoughts?

2018-09-29T12:09:21-04:00

What do you all think about this... Are there some leaders so toxic that they overpower the overwhelming amount of good leadership, or are there actually more toxic leaders than good ones?

Response by SSG Jess Peters made Sep 29 at 2018 1:29 PM

2018-09-29T13:29:24-04:00

For me, it seemed it's about an even break between good and toxic leaders. I arrived at some units that made me feel welcome to be part of the team..in others, it was as if I carried the plague. Some of them had another NCO already there they wanted to fill my position. Another unit had a commander and platoon leader that seemed to enjoy destroying the career of others. Refused enlistment to a excellent SSG with 10 years service over an article 6 years prior, and generously with substandard EERs Also.had some superb commanders that would do all.they could to help their subordinates..Others seemed to just bide their time not really getting involved other than doing whatever needed to get done..Minimum standards was the rule.

Response by SSG Jess Peters made Sep 29 at 2018 1:34 PM

2018-09-29T13:34:16-04:00

Iny experience as far as toxic leaders and superb leaders are about equal. The majority seem to be somewhere in the middle just satisfied with minimal performance.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2018 2:17 PM

2018-09-29T14:17:48-04:00

Neither is an overwhelming force as they both impact you differently. You should learn from toxic leadership what you don’t want to be when you have to leader soldiers. You should take away characteristics from leaders that are superb. That way you can find your own balance and generate your own leadership style.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 29 at 2018 3:40 PM

2018-09-29T15:40:33-04:00

I think a good leader will insulate the troops from toxic leadership.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2018 5:26 PM

2018-09-29T17:26:17-04:00

Great topic, in my opinion.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2018 4:29 PM

2018-09-30T16:29:11-04:00

I blame our current promotion Step program. Soldiers are being forced to be promoted too quick when they aren't ready to be NCOs quite yet. Also doesn't help that "Everyone is a leader" mindset is enforced, because thats just so unrealistic. Not everyone is cut out to be a leader, doesn't mean they are bad soldiers though. IDK just my two cents.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2019 2:29 PM

2019-03-08T14:29:14-05:00

I'd have to agree with SPC Private RallyPoint Member . There are soldiers being promoted who plainly shouldn't be. There is 2 parts to blame, 1.) Poor leaders who failed their subordinates in mentoring and growing them as Leaders and 2. Poor Soldiers who disregarded their leaders guidance and mentorship. These things have created leaders and soldiers who are uneducated to become or be leaders.

Toxic leaders are leaders who are A) Interested in only chasing bullets for promotion and or B) Only Interested in their own wealthfare.

To answer your question: Each person will have a differing view based on where this toxic leaders is placed on their Chain of Command. In the end we as humans remember the negative more than the good. Toxic leadership wherever it is will always be detrimental to those beneath them.

Response by AB Edward Mondini made Feb 29 at 2020 11:32 PM

2020-02-29T23:32:04-05:00

There is a trust factor missing in bad leadership.
Trust in one’s subordinates to complete a job thru to the end.
That trust factor goes all the way up the chain of command.
There has to be a culture that accepts failure as a step in the learning process, not as a character fault. But that culture must have trust as a firm foundation.
Won’t work otherwise.
Next time you see a bad leader, ask yourself: does that person trust his team?

Response by SSG Greg Miech made Feb 9 at 2021 10:07 PM

2021-02-09T22:07:56-05:00

As in Peloski and the lower leaders they are just intimidated waiting for their time or just corrupt. Perhaps just the outlook in leadership and what they are expected to do has been reduced. Thus allowing more of a leadership role for the officer corps. Thus the NCO Corps will be or has been weakened.