Why are Horrible Bosses Successful in the Workplace?

Employees endure the pain of toxic leaders because they believe they don’t have a choice. Horrible bosses are toxic leaders who are successful because organizations do not have the proper tools and assessments in place to evaluate leaders as they arise. Detecting early signs of destructive behavior lessens the probability of toxicity spreading in the organization and protects the staff; education must be given so the staff can be aware of what to look for in toxic behaviors (Pathak, 2017). Often-times employees are desperate to keep their employment therefore, they easily fall victim to manipulative behavior from a toxic leader. The leaders of the organization have the responsibility to protect the staff from a hostile work environment. Research states employee turnover rates increase because employees are not willing to cooperate with the demands of a toxic leader, these are the employees who recognize something is wrong and demand a change or leave if change is not made (Boddy, Miles, Sanyal, & Hartog 2015). The employee made a decision to save themselves.

Boddy, C., Miles, D., Sanyal, C., & Hartog, M. (2015). Extreme managers, extreme workplaces: Capitalism, organizations and corporate psychopaths. Organization, 22(4), 530. Retrieved from http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edb&AN=108529978&site=eds-live

Pathak, M. (2017). Decoding Toxic Leadership. Human Capital, 20(9), 62–63. Retrieved from http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=121272589&site=eds-live

Why Toxic Leaders Make Horrible Bosses

Toxic leaders are horrible bosses because they are narcissistic. Narcissists are vulnerable as it pertains to their self- image therefore, they manipulate the same vulnerability on to those who follow them (Morf & Rhodewalt, 2001). Toxic leaders who are horrible bosses want others to recognize and validate their self-image. They know how to prey on the emotions of others which makes them successful and often liked by their followers. Their followers feel the leader is wrong but because the leader has taught them they are less than, the followers crave the same devotion as the toxic leader.  

Morf, C. C., & Rhodewalt, F. 2001. Unraveling the paradoxes of narcissism: A dynamic self-regulatory processing model. Psychological Inquiry, 12: 177–196. 

How are Horrible Bosses Successful?

Toxic leaders are horrible bosses and they are successful because they know the type of person to prey on. They want to be reassured of their greatness, as many humans do, therefore, they understand how to falsely display and manipulate meaning to the existence of another human being, (Pathak, 2017; Perri 2013). They are aware of the psychological needs of humans and they manipulatively use their wit to take advantage of those needs. Employees want leaders to protect them, comfort their insecurities, and assure them they are safe (Pathak, 2017). At the psychological point of entrance is where toxic leaders attack. Toxic leaders understand that humans have these fears and use them to their advantage because perhaps they have had the same fears. 

Pathak, M. (2017). Decoding Toxic Leadership. Human Capital, 20(9), 62–63. Retrieved from http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=121272589&site=eds-live

Perri, F. S. (2013) ‘Visionaries or False Prophets’, Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice 29(3): 331–50. 

Example of Toxic Leadership: Monarch Leader

Another common types of toxic leader known by the terms coined by Liechty, (2005) is Monarch Leader 

 

The Monarch leader is in relation to a cult. Monarch leadership is the person in charge is at the head of the kingdom and anyone or anything in the kingdom belongs to the leader (Liechty, 2005). Monarch leaders want control of everything. This type of leader dictates how a team works instead of allowing the team to have autonomy. The Monarch leader uses followers as their pawns regardless of what damage it will cause to the follower. This type of leadership should be recognized and overthrown once it becomes obvious the monarch leader only wants to cause hurt. These are (as well as the previous mentioned types of leaders) are forms of toxic leadership. Is your leader a Monarch Leader? 

 

Liechty, D. (2005.). The allure of toxic leaders: Why we follow destructive bosses and corrupt politicians, and how we can survive them. Journal of Religion & Health, 44(1), 121–123. Retrieved from http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000227732600012&site=eds-live

Example of Toxic Leadership: Glory Seeker

Another common types of toxic leader known by the terms coined by Liechty, (2005) is Glory Seeker. 

 

Glory Seekers are the brothers to Cold Fish leaders. Similar to the Cold Fish leader, they seek attention as well however, the Glory Seeker leader wants the attention regardless of any effort or contribution on their part (Liechty, 2005). Glory Seeker leaders take the credit for their company or team excelling knowing they had nothing to do with the work contributed. Glory Seeker leaders watch their team work effortlessly and not thank them. Is your leader a Glory Seeker? 

 

Liechty, D. (2005.). The allure of toxic leaders: Why we follow destructive bosses and corrupt politicians, and how we can survive them. Journal of Religion & Health, 44(1), 121–123. Retrieved from http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edswss&AN=000227732600012&site=eds-live