This podcast episode explores the concept of bad leadership as a persistent problem that can worsen over time. The difficulty in defining bad leadership is discussed, as different people may have different values and opinions on the matter. A simple framework for understanding bad leadership is proposed, using two axes: effective-ineffective and ethical-unethical. The importance of recognizing and addressing bad leadership early on is emphasized, as it can easily spiral and worsen if left unchecked. The episode also discusses the tendency for bad leaders to become increasingly worse due to a lack of accountability and external intervention. The role of followers in addressing bad leadership is highlighted, as well as the need for raising consciousness and evaluating past performance to identify potential workplace issues.