Why Do Toxic Employees Get Promoted? Unraveling the Mystery

Have you ever wondered how toxic employees keep getting promoted, even when they make life miserable for everyone around them? It’s a frustrating phenomenon that can leave good, hard-working people scratching their heads. You’ve probably seen it happen, maybe even experienced it firsthand—someone who’s difficult, rude, or manipulative rising through the ranks while the truly deserving ones are left in the dust. But why does this happen? Let’s dive into it.

The Dark Side of Corporate Politics

One of the main reasons toxic employees get promoted is due to corporate politics. We’ve all heard the term, but what does it really mean in practice? In many workplaces, it’s not just about who does the best work—it’s about who can play the game the best. Employees who understand how to maneuver around office politics, who know how to get in with the right people, or who have mastered the art of appearing competent (even if they’re not) can sometimes edge out their more qualified counterparts.

The Power of Connections

Sometimes, it’s all about who you know. If a toxic employee has a mentor or close ties to senior management, it can act as a fast track to promotions. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always have to do with the quality of work. I had a colleague at a previous job—let’s call him Jack—who was not the most competent person in the room. Yet, somehow, he kept getting promoted. Why? He was best friends with the boss, always knew how to "make the right impression," and, frankly, he was great at selling himself. It left the rest of us wondering, "Why not us?"

The Myth of "Results at Any Cost"

Another reason toxic employees often climb the ladder is the mistaken belief that "results at any cost" are the key to success. Many organizations, especially those obsessed with short-term performance, often reward aggressive behavior because it seems to drive immediate results.

Pressure to Perform

Some toxic employees excel at this—manipulating their teams to get results quickly, even if it means burning bridges or creating a toxic atmosphere. They may shout orders, demand unreasonable workloads, or throw others under the bus to appear as though they are performing at the highest level. It’s frustrating, but it happens because management is sometimes too focused on numbers rather than employee satisfaction or long-term sustainability.

I remember a friend, Sophie, telling me about a manager at her previous company who would belittle employees and create an environment of fear just to get the quarterly results. He was terrible to work with, but his department consistently hit targets, so he was promoted time and time again. It wasn’t until the entire team left in frustration that management started to reconsider his position.

Lack of Accountability in Leadership

Sometimes, toxic employees are promoted simply because there’s a lack of accountability in leadership. If higher-ups are indifferent, uninvolved, or simply don’t care to examine the behavior of those below them, toxic individuals can slip through the cracks. Leaders may ignore red flags, dismiss complaints, or even encourage bad behavior if it suits their interests.

The Danger of "Looking the Other Way"

Many companies fail to address toxic behavior, assuming it’s just a personality clash or something that will resolve itself. Unfortunately, it often doesn’t. Instead, these employees learn that their behavior doesn’t have consequences, and they continue to rise to positions of power. I’ve seen it in action—supervisors who turned a blind eye to verbal abuse or manipulation, thinking it was no big deal, only to see the same employee promoted a few months later. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break without proper intervention.

The Impact of Fear and Compliance

Sometimes, employees rise because they know how to manipulate the system. This could mean threatening others, controlling information, or using fear to keep people in line. In such environments, others may hesitate to speak up or challenge toxic behavior, leaving the toxic employee free to climb the ladder.

Creating a Culture of Fear

Toxic employees often instill fear in others—whether it’s through intimidation, gossip, or subtle manipulation. When employees are too scared to question or report bad behavior, those who wield power in toxic ways often get rewarded for their "strength" and "leadership." Sadly, many companies don’t realize the damage this does until it’s too late.

What Can Be Done About It?

Okay, so we’ve identified some reasons toxic employees get promoted, but what can be done to prevent this from continuing in the workplace? It’s easy to point fingers, but real change takes effort and awareness.

Setting Clear Expectations for Leadership

Organizations need to be crystal clear about what makes a good leader. It’s not just about results; it’s about how you achieve those results. Emphasizing collaboration, integrity, and respect should be at the heart of leadership development programs. If someone is climbing the corporate ladder through manipulation, it’s time for leadership to step in and reevaluate their role.

Encouraging Transparency and Accountability

It’s essential for companies to foster an environment where transparency and accountability are the norms. Encouraging open communication, regular feedback, and ensuring that toxic behavior is addressed head-on can help prevent promotions based on the wrong values. This means creating a culture where managers and leaders are held accountable not just for numbers, but for how they treat people.

Final Thoughts: It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way

It’s maddening, right? Watching toxic employees get rewarded while those who truly deserve recognition get passed over. But it’s important to remember that this pattern can be broken. It takes time, commitment, and a willingness to address the root causes of toxic behavior. And, of course, the courage to speak up when you see something wrong.

If you find yourself in a workplace where toxic employees keep getting promoted, consider raising your voice. Challenge the status quo, promote a culture of fairness, and fight for the values that truly matter. It might feel like an uphill battle, but trust me, change is possible.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.