LDR-302S Organizational Culture 2026–2027 Study
Guide | Leadership, Workplace Culture, Organizational
Behavior & Exam Prep
Describe toxic behaviors and their negative effects upon an organization. - correct answers -•shaming
(the exercise of humiliation, sarcasm, potshots, or mistake-pointing with the intent of reducing
another's self-worth),
• passive hostility (the use of passive-aggressive behavior with the intent of directing one's anger
inappropriately),
• team sabotage (meddling with the intent to either establish one's personal power base or make the
team less productive),
• indifference (an apparent lack of regard and compassion for the welfare of subordinates)
• negativity (an interpersonal style that has a negative impact on organizational climate)
• exploitation (the perception that the superior is getting ahead at team member expense.)
Describe methods that SNCOs can use to help facilitate a positive culture in an organization. - correct
answers -Leader training and development- The means of addressing toxic, counterproductive
leadership cannot be limited to punishment, removal, and dismissal nor individualistic character
development. Leaders need skills in demonstrating and promoting resect among team members
Leader assessment- Since toxic leaders are experts in appearances, they tend to benefit from the biased
performance evaluation system. Supervisory leaders need skills in identifying toxic behaviors,
confronting subordinates, and coaching soldiers in healthy leadership
Organizational culture and policies- The purpose of the military departments' core values is to clarify
expectations and behaviors as a means of addressing toxic leadership. the military departments need to
reinforce a culture that truly reflects the highest standards of values-based behavior. Tis means that
members not only refrain from disrespecting each other but that they also demonstrate the highest
resect for each other; that they not only give the appearance of selfless service as they pursue personal
1
, benefits but that they also serve to empower others' success, even if they receive nothing in return; and
that they also hold each other accountable.
Identify conditions in which toxic behaviors can manifest themselves in an organization. - correct
answers -An organization experiences toxicity because its culture, policies, and systems create the
conditions for tolerating and enabling uncivil behaviors.
Typically, an organization identifies the problem only as the toxic individual, overlooking the
environmental factors in its culture, policies, and systems that are creating the conditions for the toxicity
to flourish.
Leaders often take a strong stance against incivility yet respond to allegations of workplace toxicity with
surprise, denial, excuses, and disbelief.
A leader may be aware of but willing to tolerate toxic behaviors due to the personal or professional
benefits resulting from the toxic person's short-term factual or perceived productivity.
Many times, an organization does not know how to deal with a toxic person and either reassigns or
isolates and reallocates the toxic person's responsibilities to other, already overworked personnel, none
of which actions address the behavior. Or, as is often the case, the toxic person is left in place and the
targeted person is reassigned out of the toxic situation
We focus on 3 of Schein's 12 embedding mechanisms, 2 primary and 1 secondary, to show where
potential exists to transform culture in the Defense Department. The three-step process is as follows: -
correct answers -• assess and benchmark organizational culture-- : What leaders pay attention to,
measure, and control on a regular basis
• embrace feedback-- Leader reactions to critical incidents and organizational crise
• transform the culture-- Changing organizational systems and procedures--1. Leadership buy-in to
subordinates 2. Subordinate gives permission to be taught 4. Leader and subordinates become
vulnerable (creating the ability to identify strengths and weaknesses) 5. Proper administration of
feedback.
2
Guide | Leadership, Workplace Culture, Organizational
Behavior & Exam Prep
Describe toxic behaviors and their negative effects upon an organization. - correct answers -•shaming
(the exercise of humiliation, sarcasm, potshots, or mistake-pointing with the intent of reducing
another's self-worth),
• passive hostility (the use of passive-aggressive behavior with the intent of directing one's anger
inappropriately),
• team sabotage (meddling with the intent to either establish one's personal power base or make the
team less productive),
• indifference (an apparent lack of regard and compassion for the welfare of subordinates)
• negativity (an interpersonal style that has a negative impact on organizational climate)
• exploitation (the perception that the superior is getting ahead at team member expense.)
Describe methods that SNCOs can use to help facilitate a positive culture in an organization. - correct
answers -Leader training and development- The means of addressing toxic, counterproductive
leadership cannot be limited to punishment, removal, and dismissal nor individualistic character
development. Leaders need skills in demonstrating and promoting resect among team members
Leader assessment- Since toxic leaders are experts in appearances, they tend to benefit from the biased
performance evaluation system. Supervisory leaders need skills in identifying toxic behaviors,
confronting subordinates, and coaching soldiers in healthy leadership
Organizational culture and policies- The purpose of the military departments' core values is to clarify
expectations and behaviors as a means of addressing toxic leadership. the military departments need to
reinforce a culture that truly reflects the highest standards of values-based behavior. Tis means that
members not only refrain from disrespecting each other but that they also demonstrate the highest
resect for each other; that they not only give the appearance of selfless service as they pursue personal
1
, benefits but that they also serve to empower others' success, even if they receive nothing in return; and
that they also hold each other accountable.
Identify conditions in which toxic behaviors can manifest themselves in an organization. - correct
answers -An organization experiences toxicity because its culture, policies, and systems create the
conditions for tolerating and enabling uncivil behaviors.
Typically, an organization identifies the problem only as the toxic individual, overlooking the
environmental factors in its culture, policies, and systems that are creating the conditions for the toxicity
to flourish.
Leaders often take a strong stance against incivility yet respond to allegations of workplace toxicity with
surprise, denial, excuses, and disbelief.
A leader may be aware of but willing to tolerate toxic behaviors due to the personal or professional
benefits resulting from the toxic person's short-term factual or perceived productivity.
Many times, an organization does not know how to deal with a toxic person and either reassigns or
isolates and reallocates the toxic person's responsibilities to other, already overworked personnel, none
of which actions address the behavior. Or, as is often the case, the toxic person is left in place and the
targeted person is reassigned out of the toxic situation
We focus on 3 of Schein's 12 embedding mechanisms, 2 primary and 1 secondary, to show where
potential exists to transform culture in the Defense Department. The three-step process is as follows: -
correct answers -• assess and benchmark organizational culture-- : What leaders pay attention to,
measure, and control on a regular basis
• embrace feedback-- Leader reactions to critical incidents and organizational crise
• transform the culture-- Changing organizational systems and procedures--1. Leadership buy-in to
subordinates 2. Subordinate gives permission to be taught 4. Leader and subordinates become
vulnerable (creating the ability to identify strengths and weaknesses) 5. Proper administration of
feedback.
2
