While some bosses can be annoying, dismissive, or frustrating at times, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re toxic. But if their behavior is bringing you down and affecting your well-being, there are a few red flags to watch out for.
They lack self-awareness. Toxic bosses lack the ability to recognize and control their emotions. They tend to think that they’re right about everything, which inhibits their ability to create resonance with teams and makes them resistant to feedback.
They lack empathy. Toxic bosses don’t invest time or energy in building relationships to understand how their communication approach may impact others. They struggle to relate to team members’ challenges, perspectives, and emotions—and this in turn leads to low trust.
They’re only motivated by self-interest. Toxic bosses make everything about themselves and seek to take credit for others’ work. They’re more likely to make risky, attention-grabbing strategic moves, often at the expense of long-term team stability.
They demonstrate inconsistent behavior. Toxic bosses are unpredictable, and employees may find it difficult to decipher what’s expected of them from one day to the next. These bosses are unclear in their communication, often displaying favoritism—or even discrimination.
They take advantage of power dynamics. Toxic bosses weaponize their power, expecting employees to carry out their instructions obediently and without questioning their authority or the value of the work being undertaken.
