Destructive leadership, characterized by self-centered attitudes and behaviors, has detrimental effects on individuals, teams, and organizations.
Key Facts
- Decreased job performance: Destructive leadership behaviors have been found to correlate negatively with employees’ job performance. This can be due to the demotivating and discouraging effects of destructive leaders on their subordinates.
- Reduced engagement and well-being: Employees working under destructive leaders often experience decreased engagement and well-being. Destructive leaders may create a toxic work environment that hampers employees’ ability to feel motivated and satisfied in their roles.
- Increased burnout and stress: Destructive leadership behaviors have been positively correlated with employee burnout and stress levels. The negative and hostile behaviors of destructive leaders can contribute to high levels of stress and emotional exhaustion among employees.
- Health complaints: Employees subjected to destructive leadership may experience more health complaints. The stress and negative emotions associated with working under a destructive leader can have detrimental effects on employees’ physical health.
- Workplace deviance: Destructive leadership has been found to be positively correlated with workplace deviance. Employees may engage in counterproductive behaviors, such as absenteeism, sabotage, or even theft, as a response to the negative treatment they receive from their leaders.
Effects on Individuals
Decreased Job Performance
Destructive leaders demotivate and discourage subordinates, leading to reduced job performance.
Reduced Engagement and Well-being
Toxic work environments created by destructive leaders hinder employee engagement and well-being.
Increased Burnout and Stress
Negative and hostile behaviors of destructive leaders contribute to employee burnout and stress levels.
Health Complaints
Stress and negative emotions associated with working under destructive leaders can manifest as physical health complaints.
Workplace Deviance
Employees may engage in counterproductive behaviors (e.g., absenteeism, sabotage) in response to destructive leadership.
FAQs
What is destructive leadership?
Destructive leadership is a style of leadership characterized by self-centered attitudes and behaviors that have adverse effects on subordinates, the organization, and mission performance.
How does destructive leadership affect employees?
Destructive leadership can lead to decreased job performance, reduced engagement and well-being, increased burnout and stress, health complaints, and workplace deviance among employees.
What are the signs of a destructive leader?
Signs of a destructive leader include a lack of concern for others, an inflated sense of self-worth, and the use of dysfunctional behaviors to deceive, intimidate, coerce, or unfairly punish others.
What can be done to address destructive leadership?
Addressing destructive leadership involves identifying and removing destructive leaders, implementing 360-degree evaluations to allow subordinates to anonymously evaluate their superiors, and creating a culture that values ethical and respectful leadership.
What are the consequences of destructive leadership for organizations?
Destructive leadership can damage organizational culture, reduce productivity, increase employee turnover, and harm the organization’s reputation.
How can employees cope with working under a destructive leader?
Employees working under a destructive leader can try to focus on their own work and goals, seek support from colleagues or mentors, and document the leader’s behavior for potential future action.
What are the ethical implications of destructive leadership?
Destructive leadership violates ethical principles of fairness, respect, and integrity. It can create a hostile and harmful work environment that undermines employee well-being and organizational success.
How can organizations prevent destructive leadership?
Organizations can prevent destructive leadership by promoting ethical leadership values, providing training on respectful and effective leadership practices, and creating a culture where destructive behaviors are not tolerated.