The main traits of TOXIC bosses – does YOUR manager have them?
Key Traits of TOXIC Bosses: Scientists identify 5 key characteristics – does YOUR manager have any of them?
- Scientists set out to understand what makes a toxic leader
- They identified 5 key traits, including being jealous of their team’s success.
From Miranda Priestley in The Devil Wears Prada to Mr. Burns in The Simpsons, bad bosses have been blockbuster staples for years.
But what makes a leader truly toxic?
In his new book, Professor Simon L. Dolan, a professor at the Advantere School of Management, sets out to understand the characteristics of toxic leaders.
His research identified five key traits, including envy of one’s team’s success and a constant preoccupation with competition or “enemies” in the workplace.
“There are many factors that contribute to personality toxicity, including a compulsive need to demonstrate one’s worth to others, but mostly due to a lack of deep-rooted self-esteem,” Professor Dolan explained.
From Miranda Priestley in The Devil Wears Prada (pictured) to Mr. Burns in The Simpsons, bad bosses have been blockbuster protagonists for years.
“It’s usually the culmination of a lack of ethical and emotional development throughout their lives.”
Professor Dolan’s new book, Stress Relief at Work, aims to help employees understand if their boss is toxic and what they can do about it.
“Leadership can make or break an organization,” he said. “A bad leader can demotivate a team, cause low morale, and the effect on the team can be devastating.”
He pared down the characteristics of toxic leaders to reveal five key traits:
- Envy the success of their team
- Constantly worried about competition or “enemies” in the workplace
- Often take credit for other people’s work
- Constantly compare yourself to others
- Consider that their self-esteem is determined solely by their latest results.
According to Professor Dolan, one of the main problems of toxic leaders is their belief that they need “superhuman qualities of endurance and strength.”
His research identified five key traits, including envy of one’s team’s success and a constant preoccupation with competition or “enemies” in the workplace. Pictured: Mr. Burns from The Simpsons
“It can be very harmful because they are required to hide their feelings even when they are under tremendous pressure,” he said.
“Pretending to be superhuman does a lot of damage to the mind and body – in fact, the key is to be realistic about your strengths and weaknesses.
“A leader must be able to actively manage his emotions well enough to demonstrate calmness and rationality to his teams.”
If you are a manager, there are a few things you can do to keep from slipping down the slippery slope and becoming a toxic leader.
According to Prof. Dolan, this includes improving communication with your team and implementing relaxation techniques.
“While leaders need to be confident, it’s important not to confuse this with overconfidence,” he said.
“A great leader should show respect, support and promote growth, not just be self-confident.”