The leader’s role is to create a smooth operating organization without barriers that may inhibit employees from improving their personal productivity. The presence of harassing behaviors and those who would use them against their co-workers destroys any empowerment and organizational cohesiveness a leader builds. Harassment in any form humiliates and frustrates not only the victim but also the employees forced to witness these behaviors.

The leader who observes harassment but fails to take appropriate action to eliminate it jeopardizes the victim of harassment and the company. A “conspiracy of silence” typically develops into an organizational tolerance of harassment, even when corporate policies are in place to prevent harassment from occurring. Legal ramifications and consequences are becoming increasingly severe for the leader and company that turn a blind eye to this negative behavior.

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