engels.antonio.one

Leadership is not a privilege but a responsibility, requiring respect, honesty, and fairness. True leaders understand that their position exists to serve others, not themselves. Yet we repeatedly witness a troubling phenomenon: individuals with a pattern of poor leadership not only avoid consequences but receive promotions and greater authority—they fail upward.

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:

1. It establishes a perverse incentive system where poor leadership is rewarded
2. It signals that accountability does not apply equally to everyone
3. It allows harmful behavior to continue with greater scope and impact
4. It silences those who might speak up about future issues
5. It drives away valuable community members who value integrity
6. It erodes trust in the entire organizational structure
7. It damages institutional reputation and credibility

The most disturbing aspect is how this pattern reinforces itself. Each time a problematic leader fails upward, the threshold for acceptable behavior shifts, accountability becomes harder to enforce, and the culture grows more toxic. No one should be untouchable. Promoting a leader with serious problems is not just a mistake—it is a deliberate choice that trades principled integrity for superficial harmony.

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.