When Power Turns Toxic: The Dark Side Of Leadership

Great leaders inspire, motivate, and guide their teams to success. But what happens when the very traits that propel someone to leadership take a sinister turn? Leaders are not immune to the seductive power of the dark side. In this article we are going to delve into some common leadership dark side traits, their damaging effects, hypothetical examples and how leaders can identify and rectify them before they cause havoc with their teams and organisations.

In this article, I'm going to talk in extremes to a point, but it is important to understand that we can all display dark side traits to differing degrees. Even if you do not completely recognise these traits and their symptoms in your leadership approach there may be insights for you for how to be a more effective in your role.

The "Dark Triad" of Leadership

Three personality traits consistently emerge when discussing the dark sides of leadership: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy (often referred to as the "Dark Triad").

Narcissism - The "All About Me" Leader

Leaders with this trait crave admiration and believe they are superior. They exploit others for personal gain, take credit for team achievements, and are blind to their own shortcomings

Symptoms

• Grandiose sense of self-importance - They believe they are superior and deserve special treatment. This manifests in expecting praise constantly, taking credit for team achievements, and dismissing the contributions of others.

• Preoccupation with fantasies of success and power - Conversations often revolve around their accomplishments, future goals centred on fame or wealth, and a constant need to one-up others.

• Lack of empathy - They struggle to understand or care about the feelings of others. This shows up in disregarding employee concerns, offering empty apologies, and deflecting blame.

• Need for admiration - Their self-worth hinges on external validation. You'll see a constant need for flattery, a sensitivity to criticism (often turning it into personal attacks), and a focus on creating a glamorous image.

• Arrogant and haughty behaviour - They view themselves as above the rules and may act condescending towards colleagues and subordinates.

Scenario: Sarah, a brilliant software engineer, spearheads a team that develops a revolutionary new app. The app becomes a massive success, generating millions in revenue. During a press conference to celebrate the launch, the CEO, Mark, takes centre stage. He boasts about his "visionary leadership" and the company's "unparalleled innovation," completely disregarding Sarah and her team's hard work. When a reporter asks about the development team's contribution, Mark dismissively mentions a "dedicated team" without naming anyone. Later, at the celebratory company party, Sarah notices Mark taking credit for the app's success in his speech, embellishing his role and minimizing the team's contribution.

Symptoms Revealed: Mark exhibits classic narcissistic traits. His need for admiration compels him to steal the spotlight and downplay the team's contribution. His lack of empathy prevents him from acknowledging Sarah and her team's efforts.

Machiavellianism - The Master Manipulator

These leaders are cunning manipulators. They prioritise winning at all costs, using deception, ruthlessness, and emotional manipulation to achieve their goals.

Symptoms

• Cynical and distrustful of others - They believe everyone is out for themselves and sees every interaction as a potential power struggle. This translates to a constant need to control situations, micromanaging, and a reluctance to delegate.

• Willingness to lie and deceive - They have no qualms about bending the truth or making false promises to achieve their goals. You might see them offering misleading information, spreading rumours to discredit opponents, and breaking agreements when convenient.

• Emotionally cold and calculating - They see emotions as a weakness and manipulate them strategically to get what they want. This manifests in a lack of genuine concern for others' feelings, using charm and flattery to gain trust, and then coldly discarding people once they've outlived their usefulness.

• Skilled in persuasion and influence - They are masters at twisting narratives, using logic traps, and applying pressure to get people to do what they want. Watch for manipulative tactics like guilt-tripping, playing the victim, and making empty threats.

• Focus on self-interest and personal gain - Morality takes a backseat to personal advancement. You may see them exploiting subordinates for their own benefit, taking advantage of company resources, and bending ethical boundaries to get ahead.

Scenario: David, a Machiavellian manager in a marketing department, notices two talented employees, Emily and John, are both vying for a senior position. He subtly manipulates them, praising Emily's creativity while hinting to John that Emily's "aggressive tactics" might rub the higher-ups the wrong way. David then schedules separate meetings with both, feeding them misleading information about the other's candidacy. As a result, Emily and John begin distrusting each other, focusing their energy on sabotaging each other's chances instead of showcasing their individual strengths.

Symptoms Revealed: David's manipulative tactics and willingness to lie highlight his Machiavellian tendencies. He thrives on creating conflict and uses deception to advance his own agenda, ensuring neither Emily nor John pose a threat to his position.

Psychopathy - The Charismatic Rule Breaker

Leaders with psychopathic tendencies lack empathy and remorse. They are impulsive, risk-taking, and often have a callous disregard for the feelings of others.

Symptoms

• Lack of empathy and remorse - They feel little to no remorse for their actions, even if they cause harm to others. This shows up in a callous disregard for employee well-being, a lack of emotional connection with colleagues, and a history of leaving a trail of broken relationships in their wake.

• Callous and unemotional traits - They struggle to understand or express emotions normally. Watch for a flat affect, a lack of remorse or guilt in response to wrongdoing, and a tendency to be callous and insensitive to others' suffering.

• Impulsivity and thrill-seeking - They are prone to taking unnecessary risks and making rash decisions based on immediate gratification. This manifests in reckless business ventures, ignoring safety protocols, and disregarding the consequences of their actions.

• Grandiose sense of self-worth - Similar to narcissism, there's a lack of insight into their own limitations and a belief they are above the rules. You might see them breaking company policies, displaying a disregard for authority, and a tendency to blame others for their mistakes.

• Charismatic and superficially charming - They have a magnetic personality that can be very disarming. Be wary of a leader with a history of exploiting their charm to manipulate people and then discarding them once bored.

Scenario: Michael, the CEO of a tech startup, is known for his impulsive decisions and disregard for rules. He ignores warnings from his CFO about an upcoming economic downturn and decides to invest heavily in a risky new technology. Michael justifies his decision by claiming it's a "bold move" that will propel the company to the top. When the technology fails and the company suffers significant losses, Michael blames his team for "poor execution" and avoids taking any responsibility. He throws a lavish party to celebrate a new "strategic partnership" (a desperate attempt to secure funding) while employees face layoffs and a plummeting stock price.

Symptoms Revealed: Michael's reckless decision-making and lack of remorse showcase his psychopathic tendencies. He prioritizes immediate gratification and self-preservation over the company's long-term well-being. His callous disregard for the consequences of his actions exposes his lack of empathy for his employees.

The above scenarios illuminate the destructive nature of the Dark Triad in leadership. By recognising these traits and their associated behaviours, individuals and organisations can create safeguards and hold leaders accountable, paving the way for a more ethical and productive work environment.

The Corrosive Effects of the Dark Side

Ultimately these traits can wreak havoc on any organisation.

Decreased Morale and Productivity

Employees under a dark leader feel undervalued, disrespected, and constantly on edge. This leads to low morale, burnout, and ultimately, decreased productivity.

Increased Turnover

Talented employees leave toxic environments, leading to a constant need for recruitment and training, hindering long-term goals.

Ethical Lapses

Dark leaders may be more likely to engage in unethical behaviour, jeopardising the organisation's reputation and risking legal consequences.

Shining a Light on Your Shadow Self

The good news is that, when inclined to, leaders can recognise and address their dark side traits. Here's how:

Seek Feedback

Ask trusted colleagues, mentors, or even a leadership coach for honest feedback on your leadership style.

Self-Reflect

Analyse your behaviour and decision-making processes. Do you take criticism well? Do you give credit where credit is due? Are you open to considering different perspectives?

Focus on Empathy

Cultivate empathy by actively listening to your team's concerns and trying to see things from their perspective.

Embrace Growth

Be open to learning and development opportunities that can address your leadership weaknesses.

But here’s the problem...

Leaders with dark side traits often struggle to see their own shortcomings, which means they are unlikely to actively seek feedback or self-improvement in these areas. This can obviously pose a significant threat to their organisations. By recognising the symptoms, understanding the consequences, and promoting a culture of accountability, we can work towards fostering healthier leadership and more successful organisations.

Confronting your dark side takes courage, but it's a necessary step for becoming a truly effective leader. By acknowledging your weaknesses and actively working to improve, you can foster a positive and productive work environment where everyone thrives.

Remember, true leadership isn't about self-elevation, it's about empowering others to achieve their full potential.