Should Toxic Leaders be allowed to bury their past?

2014-01-31T02:17:54-05:00

<div>Lt. Gen. O'Reilly is attempting to use "reputation management" to drown out his past examples of Toxic Leadership. Do you think he should be allowed to bury his past and start over?</div><div><br></div>http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140129/NEWS/301290018/Toxic-general-hires-help-hide-career-blemishes<div><br></div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://www.armytimes.com/graphics/ody/alticon.png"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140129/NEWS/301290018/Toxic-general-hires-help-hide-career-blemishes">Toxic general hires help to hide career blemishes</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">
Retired Lt. Gen. Patrick O'Reilly has got a tarnished reputation as a toxic leader and bad boss, but maybe not for long.
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Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 31 at 2014 2:38 AM

2014-01-31T02:38:03-05:00

He just needs to go. There is a military contractor out there willing to hire him as a lobbyist and a SME for Fox News. And it's not like he needs to salvage his rep to get those jobs. Look at Allen West.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2014 2:48 AM

2014-01-31T02:48:09-05:00

2LT Christopher F.

Unlike all of previous history where disgraced individuals could simply move to a new town and start over, in the internet age it is impossible for the disgraced individual to effectively bury the past. All these expensive reputation enhancement services can do is try to publish just enough positive information to balance out the negative by filling up the first few pages of a search. This will never effectively hide the truth from any more than the most casual background researcher.

Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by CPT Christopher F. made Feb 1 at 2014 1:54 AM

2014-02-01T01:54:33-05:00

I can agree that in most cases everyone does deserve a second chance. But at what point is a leader too far gone to be trusted with subordinates again? I had a Battalion Commander who was flagged and prevented from PCSing because he was under investigation for a command climate so horrible that a Company Commander committed suicide.<div><br></div><div>At what point do people not deserve a second chance? </div>

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 30 at 2014 5:09 PM

2014-04-30T17:09:41-04:00

Of course toxic leaders should not be "allowed" to hide or bury there pasts. Unfortunately, this is not realistic. toxic leaders are often seen as highly successful by their superiors. In fact several papers by the combined arms center say as much. google the term toxic leader and us army and there are many good research papers on the topic.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2014 5:12 PM

2014-07-20T17:12:27-04:00

No. The simple act of trying to bury the past spotlights his aversion to positive change. A leader would embrace his mistakes as lessons on what not to do, not hide them.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 20 at 2014 5:17 PM

2014-07-20T17:17:59-04:00

Big question is when were they "toxic"? Was it a matter of a 2LT or CPT who was immature and has since grown up and learned their lessons regarding leadership? Or a COL who is in current command of a BDE? They are not the same thing.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2014 3:43 AM

2014-09-17T03:43:21-04:00

Nope this guy should not get a free pass. He obviously is trying to bide a good reputation so he can take an executive job at a defense contractor.

This is a prime example that should be brought up on militarycorruption.com

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Sep 20 at 2015 5:46 PM

2015-09-20T17:46:05-04:00

ONLY if the LGEN is willing to allow countless NCOs and soldiers to bury their past mistakes and start over. what's good for the goose is good for the gander

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Mar 11 at 2020 8:36 AM

2020-03-11T08:36:38-04:00

Unfortunately when you reach his rank status toxic leadership is what you are known for. The only way he will be able to start over is to start at a place where no one knows him or has heard of him...definitely not in the defense industry. Maybe then and only then will he be able to begin anew.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 1:57 PM

2020-03-11T13:57:31-04:00

I believe in 2nd chance but, this have to go both ways.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 11 at 2020 8:06 PM

2020-03-11T20:06:29-04:00

It looks like the IG report was across the board indicating he was truly a toxic leader. He has probably acted like this for several years if not decades. I know if I was his boss, I would not give him a second chance and would have recommended him to lose some rank. Balancing family and a military career is hard enough. Working for an asshole makes life infinitely harder, and I see no forgiveness in this matter. I am disappointed he had the opportunity to retire as a 3 star.