Leadership Pitfalls

Leadership Pitfalls: Two Styles That Could Undermine Your Impact

Leadership is a wild ride—equal parts challenge and reward. Some days, you feel like you're steering a well-oiled machine; other days, it's more like herding cats. While we often focus on what great leadership looks like, it’s just as important to shine a light on what can derail it. Over the years, two leadership styles have stood out as particularly dangerous: authoritarian leadership and toxic leadership. If left unchecked, these approaches can take even the best organizations off course. Let’s unpack what these styles look like, why they’re harmful, and how to avoid them.

The Danger of Authoritarian Leadership

Authoritarian leadership consolidates power in one person or a tight circle, with little room for collaboration. Orders are given, and the expectation is simple: obey. In rare cases, like a crisis, decisive control might make sense. But as a long-term strategy? It’s a recipe for burnout and stagnation.

Here’s why:

1. Creativity Takes a Hit
   When ideas flow only from the top, innovation dries up. Employees who feel unheard stop contributing, and before you know it, your organization is recycling old ideas while the world moves on.

2. Engagement Plummets
   People want to be more than cogs in a machine. If your team feels undervalued, their engagement tanks, and you’ll notice it in their work—or lack thereof.

3. Turnover Skyrockets
   Talented team members won’t stick around if they’re stifled. They’ll head for environments where they can grow, leaving you with the cost of constant hiring and the loss of institutional knowledge.

Toxic Leadership: A Silent Killer

Toxic leadership might not always announce itself as loudly as authoritarianism, but its impact is just as damaging. It shows up in manipulation, favoritism, intimidation, or unchecked egos. The ripple effects? Fear, division, and a fractured workplace culture.

The fallout looks like this:

1. A Broken Culture
   When mistrust and fear run rampant, collaboration grinds to a halt. Toxic leaders sow division, and over time, that toxic environment becomes your company’s reputation.

2. Productivity Drains
   Anxiety doesn’t make for great work. Mistakes increase, efficiency drops, and deadlines slip.

3. Emotional Burnout
   The psychological toll of working under a toxic leader is real. Stress turns into burnout, and what could have been a thriving team becomes a collection of individuals just trying to survive.

Steering Clear of These Pitfalls

Awareness is the first step, but avoiding these traps takes intentionality. Here are a few strategies that can help you build a healthier leadership culture:

1. Foster Open Communication
   Make it safe for your team to speak up. Encourage feedback, even when it’s hard to hear, and create channels where ideas and concerns can flow freely.

2. Lead with Empathy
   Emotional intelligence isn’t a soft skill—it’s a leadership superpower. When you prioritize understanding your team’s needs, you inspire loyalty and trust.

3. Invest in Growth
   Leadership isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. Regular training and development for yourself and your leaders can keep toxic tendencies at bay and sharpen your ability to lead well.

4. Invite Participation
   Collaborative leadership doesn’t mean losing control. It means empowering your team to take ownership of their work and trusting them enough to include their voices in decisions.

5. Regular Check-Ins
   Keep an eye on your leadership culture. Ask for honest feedback, and be willing to make changes when patterns of unhealthy leadership emerge.

Finding the Leadership Style That Fits

Great leaders don’t copy and paste a style—they craft one that reflects their personality, values, and team’s needs. But no matter your approach, the key is to stay humble, adaptable, and open to growth.

Here’s how:

1. Know Yourself
   Take an honest inventory of your strengths and blind spots. Self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership.

2. Invite Feedback
   Your team sees you differently than you see yourself. Ask for their input, and let it shape how you grow.

3. Stay Flexible
   Every season and team is different. What worked last year might not work today. Stay curious and willing to adapt as your team’s needs evolve.

Conclusion

Leadership is about more than achieving results; it’s about building something sustainable and life-giving—for you, your team, and your organization. By steering clear of authoritarian and toxic tendencies and committing to a culture of trust, empathy, and growth, you’ll create an environment where people thrive. And when your people thrive, so does your mission.

Related articles:

1. "The Two Leadership Styles That Can Destroy a Business", American Express HERE

2. "Avoid These Toxic Leadership Traits: Destructive Characteristics & Examples", Medium HERE

3. "The 7 Most Common Leadership Styles and How to Find Your Own", American Express HERE

4. "A Study on Toxic Leadership", ERIC HERE

5. "Can Polite People Be Successful Leaders?", American Express HERE

6. "Toxic Leadership: Behaviors, Characteristics, and Consequences", CIAM HERE