What defines toxic leadership?

Toxic leadership is characterized primarily by self-centered attitudes and behaviors. This type of leadership often manifests in a leader's focus on their personal gain and needs at the expense of their subordinates' well-being and development. Such leaders may prioritize their own interests, leading to a detrimental work environment where trust, morale, and overall effectiveness suffer.

Leaders exhibiting toxic behavior typically engage in manipulative or abusive tactics, creating a toxic atmosphere that stifles teamwork and productivity. This self-centeredness is often coupled with a disregard for the concerns and opinions of others, which contrasts sharply with the effective leadership qualities that promote a positive organizational culture and foster employee development.

Other aspects, such as lack of self-awareness, are certainly part of a toxic leadership style, as they can contribute to its prevalence, but they do not encapsulate the core definition as directly as self-centered attitudes and behaviors do. Similarly, strong ethical principles and effective communication skills are indicative of positive leadership traits rather than toxic characteristics.