https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxic_leader
A toxic leader is a person who has responsibility over a group of people or an organization, and who abuses the leader–follower relationship by leaving the group or organization in a worse-off condition than when s/he first found them. The phrase was coined by Marcia Whicker in 1996 and is linked with a number of dysfunctional leadership styles.[1] Other names include the little Hitler, manager from hell, The Toxic Boss and boss from hell.[1] Their leadership style is both self-destructive and ultimately corporately harmful as they subvert and destroy organizational structures.[2]
Ashforth discussed potentially destructive sides of leadership and identified what he referred to as petty tyrants, i.e.leaders who exercise a tyrannical style of management, resulting in a climate of fear in the workplace.[3]
Basic traits[edit]
The basic traits of a toxic leader are generally considered to be either/or insular,[1] intemperate,[1][4] glib, operationally rigid, callous,[1] inept,[4] discriminatory,[1] corrupt[4] oraggressive[4] by scholars such as Barbara Kellerman. They boast that they are supposedly clever, always criticize other staff members and avoid or dislike to be asked awkward questions about their leadership style.[2] These may occur as either:
- Oppositional behaviour.[2]
- Plays corporate power politics.
- Perfectionistic attitudes.
- Abuse of the disciplinary system (such as to remove a workplace rival).
- A condescending/glib attitude.[1]
- They are shallow and lack self-confidence. Toxic leaders are not confident with themselves and become aggressive to cope.[2]
- Poor self-control and/or restraint.[4]
- Procedural inflexibility.[2]
- Discriminatory attitudes (sexism, etc.).
- Causes workplace division instead of harmony.[1]
Aggressive narcissism[edit]
- Use "divide and rule" tactics on their employees.[4]
This syndrome is also the 'Factor 1' in the Hare Psychopathy Checklist, which includes the following traits:
- Glibness/superficial charm[2]
- Grandiose sense of self-worth
- Cunning/manipulative[2]
- Shallow emotional affect (genuine emotion is short-lived and egocentric)
Other traits[edit]
- Failure to accept responsibility for own actions
Many are also authoritarian, autocratic [2] and/or control freaks to varying degrees, who tend use both micromanagement, over management and management by fear to keep a grip of their authority in the organizational group. Micromanagers usually dislike a subordinate making decisions without consulting them, regardless of the level of authority or factual correctness.[1] A toxic leader can be both hypocritical and hypercritical of others, seeking the illusion of corporate and moral virtue to hide their own workplace vices. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a form of lying.[1] [5] They are sometimes maladjusted,[2] and afraid of change [2] They can also be both frightening and psychologically stressful to work with.[1]
The U.S. Army defines toxic leaders as commanders who put their own needs first, micro-manage subordinates, behave in a mean-spirited manner or display poor decision-making.[6]A study for the Center for Army Leadership found that toxic leaders in the army work to promote themselves at the expense of their subordinates, and usually do so without considering long-term ramifications to their subordinates, their unit, and the Army profession.[7]
Tools of a toxic leader[edit]
- Workload: The setting up to fail procedure is in particular a well established workplace bullying tactic that a toxic leader can use against his rivals and subordinates.[8][9][10]
- Corporate control systems: They could use the processes in place to monitor what is going on. Disciplinary systems could be abused to aid their power culture.
- Organizational structures: They could abuse the hierarchies, personal relationships and the way that work flows through the business.
- Corporate power structures: The toxic leader controls who, if any one makes the decisions and how widely spread power is.
- Symbols of personal authority : These may include the right to parking spaces and executive washrooms or access to supplies and uniforms. Narcissistic symbols and self-images (i.e. workplace full of self-portraits).
Inevitably the victim’s workplace performance, self-esteem and self-confidence will decline as employee(s)’ stress inclines. Heavy running costs and a high staff turnover/overtime rate are often also associated with employee related results of a toxic leader.[1]
- Workplace rituals and routines: Management meetings, board reports, disciplinary hearing, performance assays and so on may become more habitual than necessary.