How Toxic Leadership Can Ruin the Workplace

Misuse of powers is a common trait amongst the toxic leaders. Workplace conflicts, absenteeism, politics in the workplace, etc. has invigorated interest in the dark side of leadership. The incidence of toxic leadership in organizations is increasing globally. According to the shreds of evidence, it was found one out of every five leaders are toxic. It becomes a serious issue for concern.

One of the determining yet underrated factors in evaluating an individual’s mind as well as emotional health and well-being in the workplace environment. Non-professionals could wonder how eight or nine hours of work can be led to mental stress. But for many professionals and executive’s workplace becomes a second home and even the main home for many. They put in almost half of their lives in the workplace, handling the work pressuring, meeting the headlines, etc. When the relationship in the workplace becomes a source of stress, it can take a larger toll. Leadership is a prominent tool in setting the tone of a workplace and creating a friendly environment. When a leader’s dearth’s in a positive attitude, it causes stress in the workplace.

The last decade has handover a long list of horrendous scams in the field of politics, a business that resulted due to the judgment made by the leaders or ambitious people in authority. Such a scenario arises question on the intent and the content of the leaders and victims wonders whether the failure was intentional or the upshot of the toxic leaders. Toxicity in the leadership is running in organizations and societies since its interception. This cancer could be a threat to both individuals and organizations. This toxic leadership article sheds light on menacing types of toxic leadership.

What is Toxic Leadership?

Senior executives have the power to build to a workplace environment that allows professionals to grow and perform their best – Otherwise, a toxic environment where everyone I unhappy. How leaders end up using their powers and responsibilities varies on their mental health. A sound and stable leader make a work culture where rule makes sense to employees and have freedom. But if the boss is psycho, his business plans, interactions will reflect his or her pathologies.

“Toxic leadership is a combination of self-centred attitude, motivation, and behaviors that have an adverse impact on the organization, teams, project, and performance. Toxic leaders operate with a sense of self-worth and from acute self-interest.

What is Toxic Leadership Style?

Toxic leadership is a threat to employees as well as an organization. It has various adverse impacts such as employee dissatisfaction, low productivity, conflicts, stagnant innovation, but a high turnover rate. It’s a painful but undeniable reality of an organization. With self-centric, destructive behaviors, toxic leaders create a disillusioned and motivating workforce.

How do you spot a toxic leader? Here are some of the leadership styles-

• Narcissist: It the common trait found in most of the senior officials. Even we all have narcissist characteristics. We need a modicum of narcissism to function property. But too much narcissism is dangerous. They are arrogant and self-serving. They are more interested in self-growth and development.
• Arrogant: Toxic Leaders are mostly arrogant and boastful. They think they are special and exceptional. They want others to believe them and accept their words as gospel truth. They hate when others try to correct them or rectify their errors. 
• Autocratic: Autocratic leaders believe in their own supremacy. They make it most of their from their position and authority to make things happen. Such leaders expect others to believe their points blindly, without ever questioning, for toxic leaders’ employees are just minions, lesser being who exists only for doing leader’s bidding.
• Maladjusted: Toxic leaders are mortified to change. They are inflexible and make changes very hard. They are a strong opponent of any changes.
• Intimidating: These types of leaders often bully their employees into achieving the target. They have the mentality of “ruling with an iron fist.”
• Over Competitive: Toxic leaders aim to win at any cost. And has the mentality to leave the individual who failed to cope up with their pace.
• Discriminatory: Toxic leaders are discriminatory. They don’t value diversity. And like to be surrounded by the individuals familiar with. They feel opposed to being challenged with people with different points of view. So they surround themselves with blind supporters.

How to Deal with Toxic Leadership?

Remember, toxic leadership is developed because of frightening and over-conscious employees. Just become a naysayer. Toxic leaders are frightened leaders who often tries to ignore employees’ viewpoints. But take a breath and try to share your viewpoints as calmly as possible. It isn’t possible, and the leader tries to bully you into getting the HR department informed about the leader’s toxic behavior.

As an organization never neglect or oversee a toxic leader even if they are brilliant and have a high turnover. Toxic leadership can have a negative impact on your bottom line. Take actions when you get any complaints and conduct an impartial hr evaluation. Take 360-degree feedback, making the professionals assured that their responses and identity would be confidential. If you arent aware of such technique then browse article on Using 360 Degree Feedback Tool for a detailed overview about the subject. Conduct sessions on Employee engagement and implement tactics to enhance the experience of your employees. Want to know more about employee engagement then refer our blog on Effective Employee Management Strategies.

Signs of Toxic Workplace

Toxic work environment doesn’t just have negative impacts on an organization, but it also adversely impacts the employees’ mental and health wellness. As a business executive, you will agree we all have bad Mondays, challenging weeks, and disappointing months. It’s part and parcel of one’s career. But initially, we learn something.

The toxic work environment is like having such challenges, disappointments on a regular and never-ending basis. It breeds low productivity, internal conflicts, low job satisfaction, and so on.

• Poor Leadership: It said truly,” You don’t leave a job, you leave a bad boss.” If you are continuously demotivated, constantly, if you been corrected, your decisions are undermined. It all disappoints from doing the job. 
• Unmotivated Employees: When there aren’t job satisfaction, employees will suffer aggression, frustration, despondency during work time.
• Often employees aren’t physically and mentally to work, which leads to absenteeism, lack of contribution, and low productivity.

The incidence of toxic leadership is growing immensely. A toxic work environment breeds various mental health issues such as low morale, depression, sickness, and so on. A toxic work environment isn’t specific to the workplace. Instead, it follows you home. Work stress takes away much-needed sleep, causes anxiety, and even takes over the conversation with loved once. The modern competitive world is dynamic, and every leader aims to achieve a higher target. Such challenges often lead to toxic leadership. Organizations need to conduct discussions and awareness on mental health issues and types of leadership that can foster a strong workplace that continues to grow.