Toxic Leadership: Research and Cases

Toxic Leadership: Research and Cases presents research and cases on toxic leadership that emerged from qualitative research on the followers of toxic leaders. The goal is to help students, researchers, and academics understand how toxic leadership emerges, how leaders can spot toxic leadership within their organizations, and discuss what they can do to stop toxic leaders from destroying organizational value.

The book pulls together various theories, models, and names (e.g., bad leadership, destructive leadership) for toxic leadership. The authors cover how power, culture, personality disorders, and followers contribute to the toxic leadership phenomenon. Readers will learn how toxic leaders impact organizations, the types of toxic leaders, signs of toxic leaders, and the environments they create. The authors share case studies for each toxic leader type to illustrate themes, coping strategies, and organizational outcomes. Each case is accompanied by a series of questions for reflection, study, and leadership development.

This book will be useful for students, researchers, and academics to help uncover signs of toxic leaders that are often hidden from upper management. It will also be helpful for leaders to develop organizational strategies and for followers to develop coping strategies.

Steven Walker holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.

Daryl Watkins is an educator and US Navy Combat Veteran with a background in higher education, public transportation, information technology management, and military aviation.