Crushing it with Carol!

Victory for Integrity – What the NCRA Election Teaches Us About Leadership and Toxic Culture

The results are in: Carol Reed Naughton has been elected Vice President of the National Court Reporters Association. In a race marked by contrasting philosophies and campaign styles, the outcome speaks volumes—not just about two candidates, but about the character of the steno community itself. Despite the manipulation, drama, and toxicity that crept into the election, integrity triumphed. This moment is more than a win for Carol—it’s a declaration that our profession refuses to normalize dysfunction.

The numbers speak for themselves: Carol Naughton won with 976 votes—an overwhelming 73.5% of the vote—compared to just 352 votes (26.5%) for Margary Rogers. It wasn’t just a win; it was a landslide. The message from the membership was clear: values matter. Several readers shared that while they had already made their decision, the information shared in these articles helped them recognize critical red flags—“timing, tactics, and content”—they might have otherwise overlooked. That clarity may have contributed to the crushing margin of victory.

And for every court reporter who’s ever felt disillusioned, bullied, or silenced by toxic circles within our industry, this win is for you.

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“In Toxic Cultures, the Strong Don’t Survive—The Corrupt Do”

As Cynthia Mathieu, Ph.D., so aptly put it, “In a toxic culture, the strong don’t survive; the corrupt do.” That chilling reality plays out again and again in organizations where power is rewarded over principle, where popularity outweighs professionalism, and where those with the courage to speak up are pushed out, not uplifted.

But not this time.

In this election, we saw firsthand how one candidate openly bypassed the vetting process, downplayed past financial mismanagement, and ran a divisive campaign fueled more by visibility than values. The other followed the rules, earned the trust of the Nominating Committee, and focused her message on accountability and service. In an environment where dishonesty often hides behind performance and popularity, the steno community chose substance over spectacle.

That matters. That means something.

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Toxic Leadership and the Toll of Misalignment

Toxic cultures thrive when there’s a gap between what leadership says it values and how it actually behaves. When the face of leadership is performative, but its actions are controlling, self-serving, or retaliatory, it creates an environment where honest people begin to suffer. They burn out. They lose trust. They get sick—mentally, emotionally, physically.

We saw evidence of that during this campaign. Members who dared to question Margary Rogers’ track record—her financial mismanagement during her tenure at MCRA, her refusal to relinquish control even after stepping down, her “strategic” bypassing of the NomCom—were met with backlash, not dialogue. People who raised valid concerns were painted as haters, not as advocates for due process.

It’s not strength that thrives in that environment. It’s survival instinct—rooted in manipulation, optics, and control.

And yet, good people spoke up. They told the truth. They did the hard thing.

They voted for the kind of leadership that doesn’t just say it values ethics—it lives it.

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The Real Cost of Pretending to Fit In

This election revealed a deeper truth: those who align with toxic values may rise faster—but not higher. Not with the community watching. The moment we start compromising our own ethics to “fit in” with those who prize visibility over responsibility, we lose ourselves. Many in our field have felt that erosion—slow, creeping, but devastating. We become who the toxic culture needs us to be to survive: silent, compliant, and eventually, complicit.

But not this time.

This time, the profession saw through the tactics. We honored truth over tribalism. We validated process over manipulation. And we made space again for people who care—really care—about this profession and its future.

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For the Misfits and the Courageous: You Belong Here

To those who’ve ever been alienated for doing the right thing, know this: You are not alone. This election proves that the steno community is capable of discernment, unity, and strength. There may be pockets of toxicity still lingering—small circles that thrive on control and drama—but the greater body of reporters has spoken, and they chose accountability.

To the whistleblowers, the quiet leaders, the behind-the-scenes workers, the ones who prioritize service over self-promotion: we see you. And we are stronger because of you.

This is a moment of healing for our industry. A moment to reaffirm that leadership is not about clout; it’s about responsibility. It’s not about controlling narratives—it’s about building trust.

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Healing, Then Rising

Let’s also acknowledge that standing up in toxic environments comes at a price. It’s exhausting to keep proving yourself, to constantly explain your values, to rationalize why you can’t just “go along” like others do. It can fracture your sense of self.

Sometimes, the real strength lies in stepping back, healing, and staying true to your deeper values. You are not weak for refusing to adapt to a culture that asked you to betray yourself.

That is what makes Carol’s win so powerful. Not only did she refuse to stoop to smear campaigns or performative tactics—she remained steady, transparent, and gracious throughout. In doing so, she modeled the kind of leadership this profession deserves.

And the community responded.

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The Road Ahead

This election wasn’t just a test of popularity—it was a test of ethics, discernment, and will. And while one election result doesn’t wipe away the toxicity that still exists, it does light a new path forward.

Let this be the turning point where we no longer normalize performative leadership. Where we stop rewarding those who weaponize charm while abandoning duty. Where we don’t shame the “misfits” who leave when environments become harmful—but celebrate them for their courage.

Let this be the beginning of a new culture—one rooted in values, not vanity.

Because the steno community is watching. And this time, we chose right.

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This victory shines brightly because of you—every voice that spoke up, every vote cast with clarity, every person who chose values over noise. Carol Naughton now leads the way, lighting a path toward a future grounded in ethics, service, and integrity. The storm has passed—and the road ahead is brighter because we chose to walk it together.

Disclaimer

The content of this post is intended for informational and discussion purposes only. All opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are based on publicly available information, industry standards, and good-faith concerns about nonprofit governance and professional ethics. No part of this article is intended to defame, accuse, or misrepresent any individual or organization. Readers are encouraged to verify facts independently and to engage constructively in dialogue about leadership, transparency, and accountability in the court reporting profession.

• The content on this blog represents the personal opinions, observations, and commentary of the author. It is intended for editorial and journalistic purposes and is protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
• Nothing here constitutes legal advice. Readers are encouraged to review the facts and form independent conclusions.

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