Improving workplace culture

The Day I Found a Bomb:
A Lesson in Leadership and Workplace Culture

This incident didn't just shake up my day; it taught me a profound lesson about leadership and workplace culture.

The Incident at JFK.
I was just starting my career, working at an airline catering facility at JFK Airport in New York.
One afternoon, while I was in the dispatch office, one of my favorite truck drivers, Sal, burst in with a look of sheer panic. “Mr. Delightful,” he called me (yes, that was my nickname), “you’re not going to believe this, follow me.”
“Come see”, Sal insisted.
The two of us ran out to a truck in the loading dock—not the wisest decision. We opened the door, and there it was: a pipe with end caps, wires sticking out, and who knows what else inside. I turned to Sal and said, “Sal, I do believe that’s a bomb.”
We bolted back and called the authorities. The bomb squad, fire department, and police swarmed the area, and I even heard they shut down part of the airport for a while. Thankfully, it turned out not to be a real bomb, but it was designed to look like one.

The Deeper Issue
This incident led me to ask: Why would someone do this? What could drive a person to create a fake bomb and leave it in a truck?
I had been at the job for about a month, but I quickly realized this was not a happy workplace. The environment was tense and toxic. People weren’t appreciated or treated well, and there were rumors of mistreatment and disrespect.
This situation exemplifies a concept known as counterproductive work behavior—when employees act out or withdraw due to a negative work environment. Some might lash out, as the bomb-maker did, while others might disengage entirely, going through the motions at work without truly investing themselves.
So, what can be done to prevent such situations? The answer lies in leadership. No matter your job title, from the day you start your career to the day you retire, you hold the title of Chief Climate Officer.
Great leadership is about creating a positive culture and a healthy environment where people feel valued, respected, and safe. Harvard Professor Amy Edmondson calls this "psychological safety," where employees are free to be themselves and do their best work without fear of criticism or devaluation.
As leaders, our greatest contribution is not just in what we do, but in the climate we create. A positive workplace culture fosters engagement, productivity, and well-being. It prevents the kind of counterproductive behavior that arises from toxic environments.
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Conclusion
So, to all the Chief Climate Officers out there, remember: Your role in shaping the work environment is crucial. Strive to create a place where people are not only motivated to do their best work but feel genuinely happy and secure. The ripple effect of a positive workplace climate is immense, influencing not just performance, but the overall success of the organization.
Go forth and make your environments marvelous!