Most of the time leadership is understood by understanding what makes successful leaders 'good'. However, what if we look at the ‘dark side' of leadership and explore what it is exactly that defines an unethical leader?
Narcissism is key to understanding unethical leadership. Narcissists tend to be attracted to leadership positions.
In this article we look into the six distinctive characteristics of an unethical narcissistic leader.
The study, ‘Leaders behaving badly: The relationship between narcissism and unethical leadership’, from Leadership & Organization Development Journal, proved six distinctive characteristics of an unethical narcissistic leader. Are you guilty of any of these traits?
One way communication
Narcissistic leaders can often be opposed to new ideas suggested by their team and will often be defensive when questioned about their decisions. They see themselves as superior and are likely to act in anger and rage when things don’t go their way.
One way control of power
A narcissist undermines the others and expresses themselves in an authoritarian manner. They like to believe they have the power over others and find it difficult to share this power or delegate it with their team.
Insensitive to others
Unethical charismatic leaders are insensitive and unresponsive to followers’ needs and aspirations. They persistently criticize followers, use sarcasm to belittle others, and repeatedly refuse reasonable requests.
Unrealistic assessment of the environment
Narcissistic leaders offer unrealistic assessments of their environment in order to win another party over through the distortion of reality. They like to exaggerate in order to draw attention away from flaws in their ideas.
Manipulative behaviours
Narcissists tend to manipulate others by exaggerating their past actions and making false promises for the future. They distort events in order to justify their choices and actions in order to help them ‘get ahead’.
Pseudotransformational behaviours
This form of behaviour is shown when leaders claim to be Concerned about the collective unit, but privately they are concerned about the good they can achieve for themselves. They focus on the worst in people rather than the best.
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