Ethan Sterling
Ever had a leader who made everything feel ten times harder than it needed to be? The kind who drains your energy, crushes your confidence, and leaves you dreading every interaction?
If so, you’ve likely dealt with a toxic leader. Unlike a tough or demanding boss, a toxic leader doesn’t just challenge you — they undermine you.
Their behavior creates an environment of stress, fear, and uncertainty, making it nearly impossible for anyone to thrive.
The worst part?
Toxic leaders often disguise their behavior as “tough love” or “just doing what’s necessary,” but the impact on the people around them is undeniable.
If you’ve ever questioned whether your leader is just difficult or genuinely toxic, there are certain behaviors that make it clear. Here are 8 telltale signs that you’re dealing with an incredibly toxic leader.
1) Power plays
Power can be a tricky thing—in the right hands, it can inspire and motivate.
However, in the wrong hands, it can become a tool for manipulation.
Toxic leaders, unfortunately, are experts at misusing power.
They use it to keep their teams in check, creating an environment of fear and unease instead of a culture of growth and positivity.
Making decisions without consulting the team, dismissing valuable feedback or even belittling others to establish dominance—to them, it’s all about control for them, rather than collaboration.
2) Lack of empathy
Empathy is a trait that’s often underrated.
However, it’s a crucial quality that every leader should possess, as it’s the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s about seeing things from their perspective.
Once, I worked with a boss who couldn’t grasp this concept: When we were overwhelmed with work, instead of offering support or understanding, he’d just pile on more tasks.
He’d dismiss our concerns with a wave of his hand, saying we just needed to “toughen up”.
His lack of empathy created a divide in the team and, instead of feeling understood and appreciated, we felt ignored and unimportant.
A good leader knows that their team’s emotions are not a weakness but a strength to be nurtured.
3) Constant criticism
Constructive criticism is essential for personal and professional growth. However, there’s a thin line between constructive feedback and constant, unyielding criticism.
A toxic leader often crosses this line. They tend to nitpick and find faults relentlessly, leaving their team feeling dejected rather than motivated.
Interestingly, research suggests that employees perform better when they receive a balanced mix of positive and negative feedback.
In fact, there’s apparently an ideal praise-to-criticism ratio of about 5:1.
Everyone makes mistakes and a healthy work environment should allow room for growth from these errors, not degrade one’s confidence.
4) Poor communication
Communication is the backbone of any team.
A good leader knows this and strives to keep the lines of communication open, encouraging a free flow of ideas and feedback—they are transparent about their expectations and the team’s progress.
On the other hand, a toxic leader often keeps their cards close to their chest; they might make decisions in isolation or withhold important information, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and confusion.
In essence, they’re like a closed book that leaves you guessing about what’s going on.
If you find yourself often in the dark, unsure of your leader’s intentions or plans, then you might just be dealing with a toxic leader.
Clarity breeds trust and productivity—if that’s missing, it’s a huge red flag.
5) Reluctance to admit mistakes
We’re all human, and we all make mistakes.
I’ve messed up plenty of times, and I like to think I’ve learned from each misstep—it’s part of growing, both personally and professionally.
But toxic leaders? They seem to think they’re above this.
I once worked under someone who would never admit when they were wrong:
Even when it was clear as day that a mistake had been made, they would either ignore it or, worse, shift the blame onto someone else.
In a healthy work environment, mistakes should be seen as learning opportunities, not something to be swept under the rug or blamed on others.
6) Overemphasis on competition
Competition can be a great motivator, right?
It can push us to deliver our best work, to strive for excellence—but there’s a flip side to this coin.
Toxic leaders often foster an environment that’s excessively competitive. Instead of promoting a sense of teamwork and cooperation, they pit team members against each other, creating an atmosphere of hostility and distrust.
It’s like we’re all running in a never-ending race, trying to outdo each other at the cost of camaraderie and collaboration.
While healthy competition can inspire us, an overemphasis on it can break the spirit of teamwork and make the workplace a battlefield rather than a collaborative space.
7) Lack of respect for boundaries
Respect for personal boundaries is crucial in a professional environment.
Good leaders understand this because they know that their team members have lives outside of work and respect their need for personal time and space.
However, a toxic leader often disregards these boundaries as they might call you during your off-hours, overload you with work, or expect you to be available 24/7.
Should your leader not respect your personal time or constantly invades your personal space, then it’s a clear indication of a toxic leadership style.
8) Discouraging growth
The ultimate hallmark of a toxic leader is that they stunt growth instead of encouraging it.
Whether it’s by holding back opportunities, denying access to training or resources, or downplaying accomplishments, these leaders create an environment where growth and development are stifled.
A leader who doesn’t invest in their team’s growth is not just toxic; they’re detrimental to the overall success of the team.
Leadership should inspire growth, not hinder it.
Final thoughts
Navigating the waters of leadership can be challenging, especially when dealing with a toxic leader.
Toxic leadership is about an environment that stifles growth, breeds fear, and disempowers people. It’s the opposite of true leadership.
If you’ve encountered these behaviors in your workplace, take a moment to reflect on their impact on you and your team.
Remember, you’re not alone—there are resources and support available to help you navigate through it.
John C. Maxwell once said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
Toxic leaders deviate from this path, but recognizing their behaviors empowers us to steer clear of that route.
At the end of the day, everyone deserves to work under a leader who inspires growth, fosters trust, and, most importantly, respects their team as individuals.
