Wikipedia defines toxic leader as “a person who has responsibility for a group of people or an organization, and who abuses the leader–follower relationship by leaving the group or organization in a worse condition than it was in.”

Barbara Kellerman on her book, Bad Leadership, says that “bad leadership falls into two categories: bad as in ineffective and bad as in unethical. Ineffective leadership fails to produce the desire change. For reason that include missing traits, weak skills, strategies badly conceived, and tactics badly employed, ineffective leadership falls short of its intention. Unethical leadership fails to distinguish between right and wrong. Because common codes of decency and good conduct are in some way violated, the leadership process is defiled” (32-34).

In the same book, she also describes the types of bad leadership (40-46):

Incompetent leadership: the leader and at least some followers lack the will or skills (or both) to sustain effective action. With regard to at least one important leadership challenge, they do not create positive change. 

Rigid leadership: the leader and at least some followers are stiff and unyielding. Although they may be competent, they are unable or unwilling to adapt to new ideas, new information, or changing times. 

Intemperate leadership: the leader lacks self-control and is aided and abetted by followers who are unwilling or unable effectively to intervene.

Callous leadership: the leader and at least some followers are uncaring or unkind. Ignored or discounted are the needs, wants, and wishes of most members of the group or organization, especially subordinates. 

Corrupt leadership: the leader and at least some followers lie, cheat, or steal. To a degree that exceeds the norm, they put self-interest ahead of the public interest. 

Insular leadership: the leader and at least some followers minimize or disregard the health and welfare of “others” – that is, those outside the group or organization for which they are directly responsible. 

Evil leadership: the leader and at least some followers commit atrocities. They use pain as an instrument of power. The harm done to men, women, and children is severe rather than slight. The harm can be physical, psychological, or both. 

The U.S. House of Representatives consists of 435 elected officials, currently divided into 221 Republicans and 212 Democrats. The U.S. House of Representatives is supposed to make and pass federal laws, but at this time, that body is not operating and conducting its constitutional duty due to a small number of toxic and bad leaders. A small group of about 8 representatives is imposing its will not only against the majority of Republicans, about 211, but also against the 212 Democrats. The congressman who initiated this problem represents the 1st district of Florida, with a little over 780,000 people out of the over 335 million people who live in the United States. This small group of representatives is violating the mandate to make and pass federal laws that United States citizens gave to the other 427 representatives. I can’t believe that this is happening in our country and that somehow we are allowing this.

This small group of representatives, by definition, are toxic and comprise bad leaders. The seven types of bad leadership, in one way or another, describe their behavior.

The House of Representatives met today for about two minutes. Here is what they did: (Taken from the https://clerk.house.gov/)

09:02 AM	The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is subject to the call of the Chair.
09:02 AM	PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Ms. Ross to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
09:02 AM	The Speaker announced approval of the Journal. Pursuant to clause 1, rule I, the Journal stands approved.
09:00 AM	Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben.
09:00 AM	The House convened, starting a new legislative day.

Apparently, Kevin McCarthy was removed because he was a “liar” and “could not be trusted.” What about the group of eight that are impacting our lives and obstructing the work of the United States Congress?

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