Toxic Leadership
Key Idea
Toxic leaders are destructive; their behaviors hurtful to others and their personal qualities usually dysfunctional. These leaders manipulate, deceive, undermine, cling to power, and often mistreat others. They lack integrity, are usually arrogant, and almost always ambitious.
Book to Read
The Allure of Toxic Leaders
by Jean Lipman-Blumen (2005)
Quick Take from the Book
Research has shown four relevant dimensions of toxic leadership:
- Intention
- Intensity
- Duration
- Impact
Quote of Note
"The often-cited truism, “there are no leaders without followers,” assumes ominous
significance when we consider toxic leaders. It raises a serious question that we
followers ignore at our peril: Why, in fact, do followers tolerate, often prefer (and
sometimes even create) toxic leaders and, in many cases, for long periods of time?"
– from Jean Lipman-Blumen
Related Styles: Bad Leadership
