Latest / The Dirty Side of Leadership

Toxic Loyalty: Why Good People Stay in Bad Systems | Episode 160
Send us Fan Mail
In this episode of The Dirty Side of Leadership, Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff unpack the dangerous psychology of toxic loyalty—when good, committed people stay loyal to unhealthy systems long after the warning signs appear. Through real-world leadership experiences and a powerful fictional example, they explore how psychological numbing, identity attachment, fear of speaking up, and performative leadership slowly distort judgment.
The conversation dives into:
Why intelligent and capable employees rationalize unhealthy environments
How organizations reward compliance and…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.