Thank you for sharing your experience.

Upper managers who blame poison the environment. And the blame flows through the organization. People cope with the poison, but many hide their anger waiting for the opportunity to strike back. It’s a sick dance. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Thank you for commenting.

I could have been clearer about the types of complaints you constantly hear in private from Buck, such as “…that will never work;” “Joe is an idiot;” and “I told you so.” These words tear at the roots of teamwork, which is based on congruent communication. If Buck is unable, regardless of the reason, to change his communication so it’s public, he needs to go.

Often, concern over Buck’s feelings becomes more important than concern about your own feelings and your teammates’. I’ve been caught by that trap. I suggest you not make the same mistake.

Will ridding your team of Buck solve the root cause? Probably not. I like your thought process. I would like you to consider whether solving the root cause is in your span of control. If you can solve or prevent the problem by a bigger environmental play, I’m all for it. Otherwise, take care of your own garden first. When you see dead spots, if you know it’s the work of mole, stop him now. Watch the garden grow.