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What Happens When a Leader is Toxic? A Qualitative Investigation

Author

Listed:
  • Hafsa Siddiqui

    (Department of Management Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan)

  • Jawad Iqbal

    (Department of Management Sciences, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan)

Abstract

This paper investigates the phenomenon of toxic leadership and its dynamics within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Drawing upon social constructivist worldview, the research explores the prevalence, antecedents, outcomes, and impacts of toxic leadership behaviors on the psychological well-being of individuals within academic settings. The study employs a qualitative research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather comprehensive insights from faculty, staff, and students across multiple HEIs. The findings reveal that the causes of leader toxicity extend beyond the leaders’ personality alone, rather other factors are associated to it as well. In addition to the personality traits highlighted which are associated to toxic leaders, certain environmental and cultural factors also foster the development of toxicity among the leaders and their subordinates. Such leader-member exchanges lead to destructive consequences, affecting not only the subordinate alone at an individual level but the overall organizational effectiveness as well. Thus, coping strategies to deal with such toxicity have also been discussed. Key themes identified were categorized as personality traits, organizational culture, psychological consequences and coping strategies. This research contributes to both theoretical understanding and practical implications, shedding light on the complexities of toxic leadership dynamics within the academic context. It underscores the importance of fostering healthier leadership practices and organizational cultures to promote positive psychological well-being and enhance overall academic experiences within HEIs. Recommendations for future research have also been discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Hafsa Siddiqui & Jawad Iqbal, 2024. "What Happens When a Leader is Toxic? A Qualitative Investigation," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 13(1), pages 429-435.
  • Handle: RePEc:rfh:bbejor:v:13:y:2024:i:1:p:429-435
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.61506/01.00225
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nicola Snow & Niamh Hickey & Nicolaas Blom & Liam O’Mahony & Patricia Mannix-McNamara, 2021. "An Exploration of Leadership in Post-Primary Schools: The Emergence of Toxic Leadership," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Farida Saleem & Muhammad Imran Malik & Muhammad Kamran Malik, 2021. "Toxic Leadership and Safety Performance: Does Organizational Commitment act as Stress Moderator?," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 1960246-196, January.
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