Tag Archives: lead poisoning

I consider myself fortunate never to have worked for overtly toxic leader.  Perhaps it is because I have spent much of my professional career with pediatricians, who tend to be a relatively patient and easy-going bunch.  While I know toxic leaders are out there, looking back over three decades I cannot think of a single one of my senior leaders whom I would consider toxic.

I have unfortunately, had subordinate leaders who were described as toxic by their teams and have had to address the problem as a leader.  The angry, abusive leaders were easy to recognize.  But there is another subtle form of leader toxicity that is ultimately just as deadly and may be even more prevalent.  From what I recall learning in school, the two remind me of heavy metal poisoning.

“Mercurialism” comes from mercury toxicity and like any heavy metal poisoning it has acute and chronic forms.  I liken this form of poisoning to what we typically consider when we think of a toxic leader: unpredictable angry outbursts, inflammatory, derisive, demeaning comments, foul language and aggressive behaviors.  Mercury poisoning can cause clinical symptoms of sensory impairment, difficulties hearing and speech, disturbed sensation, lack of coordination, atrophy, loss of visual acuity and loss of strength in an affected individual.  Mercurial leaders have the same effect on their organization.   The organization is weakened, has poor internal coordination and communication, and becomes insensitive to customers, internal and external.  Ultimately the organization can lose its vision.

“Plumbism” is the name for lead poisoning (from the Latin “plumbum” for lead, source of the element’s atomic symbol “Pb”). Plumbism may also be acute or chronic, but in the latter case symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, pain, nausea, malaise, fatigue, and disturbed sleep.  The “leaden” leader also has a toxic effect on an organization, but the effect may be more subtle. Teams function, but at a depressed level compared to their capability.  Members experience loss of passion and weariness. There’s organizational malaise.  This toxic leader, though well-meaning, wears them down. Continue reading →