SIDE EFFECTS OF TOXIC LEADERSHIP A Toxic Leader treats people as “less than human,” “less than capable” or as “pawns in a game” and therefore undermine the sense of dignity, self-worth and efficacy of an individual(s). This results in destructive, devaluing and demeaning work experiences. Such destructive actions may be physical, psychosocial and/or spiritual (i.e., meaning/purpose).

Work place bullying is a similar concept to toxic leadership, but more centred on individual, one-on-one, physical and/or emotional abuse by any one individual (including a leader) on another person(s). Hence work place bullying is but one form of toxic leadership when the bullying is done by leadership. Five typical toxic leaders exist: 1. Cold Fish: The ends justifies the means; 2. Snake: The world serves me; 3. Glory Seeker: Personal glory at any cost; 4. Puppet Master: Absolute control under all circumstances; and 5. Monarch: Ruling the organization as my kingdom.

Toxic Leaders who adopt the attitude that anyone is replaceable, thinking they can simply hire someone with a greater skillset or someone with a more prestigious pedigree, are fooling themselves. When a company has a truly great employee, that employee carries value that simply cannot be replaced. They have extensive product, systems, and process knowledge. They hold client relationships that have been built over many years or could take years to duplicate. And great employees have camaraderie and influence with their co-workers, which when lost, has an impact on the corporate/company's culture within. Toxic Leadership has a profound negative impact on morale and productivity which is easily visible in the fear, frustration and uncertainty on people’s faces. The following are examples of the side effects of Toxic Leadership: • Low productivity • Low morale • Rampant fear • High “mental arousal” (stress) • Decreased learning • Employees becoming detached and insulated to protect themselves • Detached employees help each other less and don’t communicate as

proactively • Lack of proactive communication and teamwork leads to diminished

company reputation • Employees fail to find meaning in their work • People dread what each day may bring • Trust in each other and in the organization is lost • People leave, generating high turnover

Toxic leadership is unethical. It harms people, groups and organizations. The side effects are crippling. We must carefully prevent this kind of un-leadership from happening in organizations.

Alan Carolissen Chief Operating Officer:NRWDI

“Talent is God-given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be thankful. Conceit is self-given; be careful."