All companies accrue "leadership debt". Leadership debt is like "technical debt".

In software development, engineers often take shortcuts when writing V.1 computer code. In the interest of time, the decision is made to address these shortcuts (or technical debt) at a later time. 

Companies often make battlefield promotions (a shortcut). The decision is made to provide training, coaching and mentoring at a later time (the "leadership debt"). 

Another form of leadership debt is allowing a manager with leadership deficiencies to stay in the role. Managers are often deemed "good enough for now", but the company knows they're not a good longer term fit. 

Leadership debt always accrues.  

When a software application faces increasing demands, the bugs and other deficiencies can cause the application to crash. The technical debt come due. 

When a management team is put under pressure, the leadership skill deficiencies lead to missteps, employee disengagement and turnover. The leadership debt comes due.