Why we select toxic leaders. (2016)

Toxic individuals take advantage of the cues we use to identify high potential.

David Rock, NeuroLeadership Institute executive director, NeuroLeadership Group CEO
Psychology Today, 7 Nov 2016.

Extracts:

Humans… have significant cognitive resources devoted to identifying and then empowering potential leaders. However, incompetent or even malevolent individuals can take advantage of the cues we use to identify potential leaders, and rise to power even when they may be poor leaders, or even worse.

Charisma is a part of the problem… While charisma eludes a precise definition, the management professor John Antonakis and colleagues have delineated nine teachable tactics…

Confidence is key. We don’t find just confidence attractive: …several studies (have shown) that we’re even drawn to overconfidence.

…we’re also drawn to narcissists… (studies found that) narcissists with a strong will to power were ceded the largest leadership roles

One holdover from prehistoric times is the appeal of dominant leaders, those who rule by threat and aggression – and might keep misfits in line or defend the group from violent outsiders.

… when tyrants gain control, we have more to blame than just the tyrant. Art Padilla and colleagues have written about the “toxic triangle” of destructive leaders, susceptible followers, and conducive environments….

Access the full article here: Why we select toxic leaders.