The Toxic Triangle: Destructive Leaders, Vulnerable Followers, and Conducive Environments

Padilla, A., Hogan, R., & Kaiser, R.B. (2007). The toxic triangle: Destructive leaders, vulnerable followers, and conducive environments. Leadership Quarterly, 18, 176-194.

Destructive leadership entails the negative consequences that result from a confluence of destructive leaders, susceptible followers, and conducive environments. We review how destructive leadership has been discussed in the literature and note that it has not been clearly defined. Building on prior research, we develop a definition of destructive leadership that emphasizes negative outcomes for organizations and individuals linked with and affected by them. Then we outline the toxic triangle: the characteristics of leaders, followers, and environmental contexts associated with destructive leadership. We illustrate the dynamics of the framework using Fidel Castro’s career as the dictator of Cuba.

Article in copyrighted peer-review journal: Reprints available by request.

Filed under: Journal & Magazine Articles

→