What is the one behavior or trait that you have seen derail more leaders’ careers?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:21:40 -0400

What are some the of the behaviors or poor traits that you've seen derail more leader's careers while serving in the military?

Name one behavior to avoid and one trait that should be eliminated from your leadership tool belt?

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 8 at 2016 7:24 PM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:24:15 -0400

Hubris

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2016 7:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:27:04 -0400

If a subordinate proves you wrong, especially with undeniable proof in-hand, swallow your pride. The more you don't, the more respect you'll lose.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2016 7:54 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 19:54:24 -0400

I would say the disease that has inflicted the officer corps is risk aversion. I've only met a couple who seemed immune. Those that get a bad case, get destroyed.

Response by LT Erik Frederick made Apr 8 at 2016 8:07 PM

LT Erik Frederick — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 20:07:03 -0400

Acting ad though you are above the rules.

Response by COL David Turk made Apr 8 at 2016 8:45 PM

COL David Turk — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 20:45:08 -0400

Two of my pet peeves:

1. Lack of integrity.
2. The higher up you go, the less you adhere to; "set the example", "walk the walk", etc.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 8 at 2016 9:08 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 21:08:50 -0400

A runaway ego results in several things we see. Can't do no wrong syndrome. Above the law. I'm senior so the regs don't apply to me. Looking out for #1 at the expense of the troops. I've seen it in many forms. I think "leader" in this case shouldn't necessarily be looked at as a good thing. Egos beget Toxic Leadership frequently. We had an OIC who went night putting with a contractor in the old quid pro quo game. We tossed that O-3 pretty quick. I've seen some senior officers who are going through their second childhood, got his divorce, and then is free to do as he pleases. We've read articles recently about bribes and other problems. I remember things got bad enough that senior command positions overseas, say Japan, required your spouse to go too. Way to much crop dusting otherwise. Some time ago I figured out the difference between the egotists and I. When I got promoted, I felt more humbled. Some of my peers got jacked up over their superiority. Humility keeps you more focused on the troops. I was always more comfortable with that.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Apr 8 at 2016 9:09 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 21:09:00 -0400

Hubris

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 8 at 2016 9:26 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 21:26:04 -0400

1st poor behavior would be infidelity to their oath as a soldier and a husband or wife; 2nd trait would be the opposite where leaders value their integrity more that bowing down to the egos of their superior officers COL Mikel J. Burroughs.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 8 at 2016 9:36 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 21:36:01 -0400

At the top is the lack of vision to prosecute a war properly. That and email love relationships. Looking into the future without understanding the past is a doozy.

Response by SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds made Apr 9 at 2016 7:12 AM

SPC(P) Alexandra Hinds — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 07:12:34 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member , you summed up pretty well what I was going to comment with.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 9 at 2016 8:44 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 08:44:06 -0400

I'm with Maj John Bell, Hubris.

Response by CAPT Michael W. Langston, PhD, DMin made Apr 9 at 2016 8:58 AM

CAPT Michael W. Langston, PhD, DMin — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 08:58:54 -0400

Moral Failure

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Apr 9 at 2016 12:48 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 12:48:03 -0400

Probably the single most trait that has derailed careers is a profound lack of integrity. However, the "I'm the boss, the rules don't apply to me!" and "Do as I say, not as I do" mentalities have claimed more than their share of casualties as well.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 9 at 2016 2:25 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 14:25:43 -0400

The generals who spoke against Rumsfeld got 86'd.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 10 at 2016 10:28 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 10:28:05 -0400

Reading all the post so far, I can add nothing more.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2016 8:10 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 20:10:31 -0400

Micro-managing. Used too frequently, it causes resentment. Know when to use the different leadership styles!!

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2016 12:02 AM

MCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:02:54 -0400

"It's GOOD to be the king! I can do whatever I want and get away with it."

_OH_, how I wish this attitude would go away, but it will never happen.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Apr 11 at 2016 7:01 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 07:01:03 -0400

Inability to keep it zipped up...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2016 11:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 23:23:10 -0400

Honesty, or lack there of. I've seen leaders lie their way to positions and when the light is shed on their lie they seem to blame others or have an excuse for everything.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Apr 12 at 2016 5:34 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 17:34:51 -0400

I have watched a number of Officer and Enlisted leaders get derailed due to their lack of Integrity.

That means doing what is right! Both morally and legally... If you made a mistake... admit it! If you are wrong... admit it! Don't try to "excuse" your positions!

There is an old saying that is very true... you may BS your leaders and peers... but never your subordinates. When you get right down to it... you are a result of your subordinate teams work.

Response by SFC Wade W. made Apr 13 at 2016 10:00 AM

SFC Wade W. — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 10:00:58 -0400

Selfishness. When a leader continuously places themselves before their subordinates or mission the soldiers know. That erodes their confidence in their leader. Example: when soldiers requests schools or training and don't get it but their leader keeps getting schools or further training. This type of leader may go far due to their records but the soldiers will not trust them or the system soon enough.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2016 1:26 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 13:26:30 -0400

Selflessness, leaders need more of it, concern for others goes a long way in binding an organization together and causing leaders to make better decisions. Trait all should avoid? selfishness, for the same reasons.

Response by SFC Craig Dalen made Apr 13 at 2016 5:41 PM

SFC Craig Dalen — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 17:41:41 -0400

Sexual Harassment and Assault, one trait would be complacency.

Response by LCpl Cody Collins made Apr 18 at 2016 4:39 PM

LCpl Cody Collins — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 16:39:08 -0400

Sex, sex and more sex ! Some of the world's greatest leaders careers have been derailed because of Infidelity. . Bill Clinton, Samson, General Petraeus, Sen. John Edwards, just to name a few.

Response by SSG Leonard J W. made Apr 20 at 2016 2:54 PM

SSG Leonard J W. — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 14:54:35 -0400

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, I would have to say that pride/arrogance is the number one derailment of careers. Everyone can learn from someone!

Also, it looks like everyone else would agree, considering their posts...lol.