Toxic Leadership: Part 1
Power & Ethics
“Rank does not confer privilege or give power. It imposes responsibility.”
Power is a great stewardship—one that should not be taken lightly. You’re probably familiar with the famous quote by Lord Acton, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men...", which he wrote in a letter to Archbishop Mandell Creighton in 1887. His postulation points out the tendency of power to draw forth what lies deep within the hearts and characters of those who wield it. Leaders face many ethical dilemmas. How they respond in any given circumstance will be informed by their ethics and level of moral development. Not everyone will have what it takes to steward their position well. In fact, if one receives enough power unchecked, they may become abusive.
So what happens when leaders become toxic and destructive? And why do people follow abusive leaders?
Toxic Leadership
In her book, The Allure of Toxic Leaders, Jean Lipman-Blumen defines toxic leadership by its destructive behaviors which leave followers worse off than when they found them. According to Lipman-Blumen and other experts, toxic leaders are most often charismatic. They require admiration, expect to be recognized as superior, and have an exaggerated sense of self importance. It’s not uncommon for them to amplify their own achievements and talents. They expect unquestioning compliance with their expectations and impose abusive supervision. Toxic leaders lack integrity, show reckless disregard for their actions, and demonstrate an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others. They violate the rights of others, use power and coercion for personal gains, take advantage of others to get what they want, and know how to play to followers basest fears. [1]
Ethical Leadership
Conversely, ethical leaders respect others, listen closely to followers, are empathetic, are tolerant of opposing views, serve others, don’t give special treatment to some followers or show favoritism, and are just in their decisions. They help their followers grow and succeed and give power away. Ethical leaders demonstrate compassion, self discipline, and promote justice. When the rubber meets the road, they choose to do the right thing in the right way. They do not compromise ethical principles in order to achieve success or safe-guard their power.
Servant Leadership—A Christian Worldview
Jesus elaborates on the concept of ethical leadership by modeling and defining servant leadership—how ethical leadership most clearly manifests in the Christian worldview. He modeled this posture of servant leadership for us and taught that this is how those who claim to follow him must lead.
“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
Clearly, toxic leadership is in direct opposition to Jesus’ kingdom and His ways.
Good Followership
So what is our responsibility as followers? Leadership expert Peter G. Northouse defines followership as “a process whereby an individual or individuals accept the influence of others to accomplish a common goal. Followers and leaders work together to achieve common goals, and both share a moral obligation regarding these goals.” [2]
In this co-created process, followers are responsible for:
Carrying out the mission of the group and the organization.
Putting the organization’s goals ahead of the leader’s goals.
Acting as checks and balances on a leader’s power
Protecting the organization against abuse of power.
Challenging their leaders to keep the leader in sync with the overall mission of the organization. [3]
Leaders aren’t the only ones with a grave responsibility. Followers are just as responsible as leaders for making sure ethical and healthy decisions are being made for their organization.
In Toxic Leadership Part 2: Why We Follow Toxic Leaders, find out what causes good people to follow bad leaders and learn more about what healthy followership entails.
Notes
[1] Lipman-Blumen,J. (2005). The allure of toxic leaders: Why we follow destructive bosses and corrupt politicians-and how can we survive them. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
[2] Northouse, P.G. (2019). Leadership: theory and practice. (p.295) Western Michigan University: SAGE Publications, Inc.
[3] Carsten, M.K.,Harms, P., & Uhl-Bien M. (2014). Exploring historical perspectives of followership: The need for an expanded view of followers and the follower role. In L.M Lapierre & R.K. Carsten (Eds.), Followership: What is it and why do people follow? (pp.3-26). Bingley, UK: Emerald Group.
