This blog by Pedro Paulo Cunha explores the critical role of leadership in dive safety, highlighting how a toxic leader at a dive resort created a culture of fear, harassment, and stress that compromised both staff well-being and guest safety. Through the story of an experienced instructor facing verbal abuse and misconduct, the piece underscores the importance of psychological safety, just culture, and accountability in high-risk environments. It reveals how poor leadership eroded team confidence, increased errors, and damaged the operation’s reputation, offering valuable lessons for divers and managers alike. Leadership isn’t about rank but about fostering trust, communication, and resilience—qualities essential for safer and more effective dive operations.

Original blog: https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/instructor-toxicity-why-one-bad-apple-spoils-the-bunch

Tags:  English, Just Culture, Leadership, Pedro Paulo Cunha, Psychological Safety, Teamwork