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The past three blogs asked if you would knowingly walk into a dangerous, hazardous zone without protection? Unless you were unaware of the hazards or plain crazy, you would not enter that chemical charged area unprotected. Yet, many employees step into toxic work environments every day, suffering in silence while their stress levels rise and…
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In the last two blog posts, we discussed the dangers of entering a toxic atmosphere unprotected, comparing a choking cloud of chlorine gas to a harmful work environment. While industrial sites are required by law to post warning signs for hazardous materials, toxic workplaces do not come with danger signs, maybe they should. Imagine if…
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Last week’s blog asked if you would enter a toxic, chemical environment unprotected. Yet, employees by the scores enter a toxic work environment every day of the year. Would you knowingly expose yourself to a dangerous chemical leak without protection? Of course not. Yet, many leaders allow their employees to suffer in toxic work environments…
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Imagine walking into a thick, choking cloud of chlorine gas without any protection. That would be absurd and insanely crazy unless you had a death wish. Chlorine is immediately dangerous to life and health at just 10 parts per million, and when it contacts moisture, it forms hydrochloric acid, which is damaging to the human…
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One of the most tragic consequences of leadership conflict in the Civil War occurred on July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg. The commanding general of the Army of the Potomac’s Third Corps, Major General Daniel Sickles, a controversial figure with a history of scandal, openly defied orders from General Meade. Meade had instructed…
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On June 28, 1863, just days before the Battle of Gettysburg, Major General George G. Meade was abruptly awakened and informed that he was now in command of the Union Army of the Potomac. The previous commander, Major General Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker, had submitted a letter of resignation to President Abraham Lincoln and General…
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The Civil War offers many leadership lessons, particularly regarding the dangers of personal conflict among leaders. The Union Army of the Potomac experienced firsthand how leadership dysfunction at the highest levels of the command structure led to profound consequences, most notably after the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. One prime example is Major General Joseph “Fighting…
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In Part 1, I wrote that leaders need to exercise discernment when subordinates ask questions because not every question is an automatic indication of conflict. General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “May we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.” This requires a greater familiarity of your team members and an understanding of human…
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It has been said that human beings are perfectly imperfect. Consequently, team conflict is inevitable. However, not all conflicts are bad. In fact, healthy debate and honest disagreement can lead to innovation and stronger team dynamics. Nevertheless, when conflict becomes toxic, it damages morale, reduces productivity, and creates a hostile work environment. As a leader,…
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When I was a firefighter in the Air Force, one of the bases I was stationed at was Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and the last name of a good friend of mine from the fire department was Williams. Hiss family often invited me to their house for supper, and oddly…
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