Do You Have A Toxic Leader? Identify Them With These Signs!

What makes a leader toxic? Leaders are the head of an organisation. They’re important individuals carrying the weight of responsibility more than other members of the team. 

It’s a blessing to get good leaders, whether it’s in your work department or group projects. However, some are unfortunate to get a toxic boss. 

Here are seven signs that can help you identify if your boss is toxic or vice versa, thanks to Psych2Go.

They don’t or won’t listen

Picture: Youtube Psych2Go
    • If they’re dismissive or ridicule your opinions, they might be toxic.
    • This is because the leader thinks only of themselves without considering the rest of the team.
    • Hence, other members blindly oblige to the leader’s decisions, creating discomfort, powerlessness and weariness.

They’re never wrong

Picture: Youtube Pysch2Go
    • Toxic leaders tend to have the mindset of ‘I’m always right‘.
    • They’re closed-minded and not ready for changes or input given by others.
    • They might gaslight you by saying, ‘it’s not my fault but yours‘.
    • Leaders like them would lead the team to failure as they’re incapable of improvement.

It’s all about them and only them

Picture: Youtube Psych2Go
    • Narcissistic leaders are dangerous because they see the world only through their perspectives.
    • Team members might feel like a ‘toy’ as the leader only uses them for their benefit.

They control everything

Picture: Youtube Psych2Go
    • Leaders like these are known as a micromanager.
    • They will interfere in everything you’re doing without giving you a chance to try it first.
    • Leaders like them don’t trust other people to handle projects as they believe their members can’t do a good job like them.

Too emotional

Picture: Youtube Pysch2Go
    • Compassionate and empathetic leaders are great to have in a team. But if they’re too emotional, it affects the entire group.
    • Leaders have to make rational decisions.
    • Yet, if your leader is too emotional, their decisions might be driven by their heart. And this often leads to rashness, favouritism and unprofessionalism.

Abusing their power

Picture: Youtube Pysch2Go
    • Leaders that exert their authority and dominance without mercy are toxic bosses.
    • They don’t like to be challenged since it threatens their ego.
    • Leaders like them demand compliance and not acceptance.

They don’t do anything

Picture: Youtube Psych2Go
    • Delegating tasks is their favourite thing to do. However, they never do anything themselves.
    • The leader only ‘leads’ the team by giving instructions and nothing else.

A toxic leader leads to downfalls in many companies or organisations anywhere. Therefore, it’s crucial to have or be a good leader for the team’s success. 

Not only that, great leadership strengthens the bond between the boss and team members. Thus, this creates positive energy in the workplace.

Hence, be a good leader that everyone favours and not a bad leader that everyone despises. The change is in your hands!

Source: Youtube Psych2Go

Adib Mohd

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