The Hidden Cost of Destructive Leadership
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. No one spoke, eyes darting around, waiting for someone—anyone—to break the silence. Across the table, a talented employee sat quietly, their resignation letter folded neatly in their lap. They had loved this job once. Now, they were walking away. Having to replace another team member was one thing, but the other reality was that their departure would weaken one of the layers of defence in our Reason model Swiss cheese.
What had gone wrong?
Destructive leadership isn’t always loud or obvious. It isn’t just the tyrannical boss barking orders or the blatant favouritism that sows division. More often, it's the subtle, everyday behaviours—impatience, dismissiveness, micromanagement—that chip away at trust and morale. And while they may not intend harm, the impact is undeniable.
The Slippery Slope of Destructive Leadership
Dr. Karen Morley, author of Lead Like a Coach, explains that under pressure, leaders often default to control, defensiveness, or dismissal—not because they want to, but because stress hijacks their better judgment. And when a leader is in survival mode, so is everyone else.
I know this all too well. In my early years as a leader, I made these very mistakes. I cut people off mid-sentence because I thought I already knew what they were going to say. I dismissed ideas too quickly, too overwhelmed to give them proper thought. I eventually saw hesitation in my team’s eyes before they spoke—uncertain, calculating whether their input was worth the risk.
The Shift: From Destructive to Intentional Leadership
Destructive leadership is rarely deliberate, but changing it must be.
It starts with awareness. Recognising your patterns gives you the power to change them. The shift from destructive to intentional leadership requires a conscious decision to lead with clarity, patience, and purpose rather than stress and urgency.
The next time pressure mounts, ask yourself:
Am I reacting or responding?
Am I building my team up or shutting them down?
Would I want to work for me?
Every choice you make as a leader either strengthens or weakens your team. The best leaders aren’t perfect, but they are intentional.
The Impact of Intentional Leadership
When leaders commit to intentionality, everything changes:
Stronger Decision-Making – Thoughtful, strategic responses replace knee-jerk reactions.
Higher Team Morale – Employees feel heard and valued, increasing engagement and productivity.
Less Workplace Conflict – Leaders recognise and address tensions before they escalate.
Better Employee Retention – An intentional culture keeps top talent from walking out the door.
More Innovation & Creativity – Ideas flourish when fear-driven environments transform into trust-driven teams.
Stronger Safety Defences – All of the above lead to increased individual ownership of tasks which creates and improves safety, systems and defences rather than relying on key individuals for the defence.
The Choice Is Yours
Every leader faces stress and pressure. But the difference between a destructive leader and an intentional one is simple: awareness.
So, the question is—are you leading on autopilot? Or are you ready to take the controls?
Love to hear your thoughts.
댓글