When serious complaints about a leader are dismissed and that person is instead elevated to a more powerful role, it sends a devastating message: performance and behavior do not matter. This “failing upward” dynamic creates a cascade of harm:
- It establishes a perverse incentive system where poor leadership is rewarded
- It signals that accountability does not apply equally to everyone
- It allows harmful behavior to continue with greater scope and impact
- It silences those who might speak up about future issues
- It drives away valuable community members who value integrity
- It erodes trust in the entire organizational structure
- It damages institutional reputation and credibility
Organizations must break this cycle by prioritizing accountability over convenience, choosing transparency over protecting flawed leaders, and showing that behavior and performance truly matter. Without these commitments, healing and progress are impossible. The future of any community depends on ending the practice of rewarding those who should instead face consequences.
The true measure of an organization’s values is not found in its mission statements, but in who gets promoted and why. When faced with leadership failures, the choice is clear: uphold accountability and protect the collective good—or sacrifice both to avoid difficult conversations.