I once said no to working with a toxic leader.
It had some short term career consequences but in retrospect turned out to be a good decision. That story for some other day.
Question is: Why do toxic leaders survive and rise in organisations?
Read a few thought provoking articles on the topic this past week.
Common explanation: Because they produce results. Their toxic behaviour often does not get questioned.
Problem is:
Business results are tangible, measurable, and quarterly.
But the damage inflicted by toxic leaders is intangible, immeasurable, and lasting.
There is no price tag that organisations can put to the scarred mental health of scores of employees, a degenerated culture, and in some cases, reputational or financial damage that follows when misadventures of such leaders occasionally blow up.
These often do not show up in quarterly results.
Like individuals, businesses that play the long game understand well that actions and consequences are often separated in time and space.
They know that what does not 'feel' right, is probably not right.
They just do not tolerate toxic behaviour. Period.
#business #career #leader #mentalhealth #culture