Understanding Toxic Leadership: Typologies and Coping Strategies

Abstract

Toxic leadership reflects a major, pervasive, yet underexplored challenge in contemporary organizational management. Given the present trends, the article provides a theoretical insight into the main conceptualizations, typologies, and outcomes of this leadership style, while elaborating on an integrative framework for exploring its mechanisms and coping strategies. Seen through the lens of the “toxic triangle” model and subsequent designs, the work follows the interaction between individual traits, follower susceptibility, and organizational context. By reviewing main evidence-based strategies, results emphasize the need for a systemic, culture-centered response, in addition to personality paradigms and workplace social cohesion.