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An Exploration of Leadership in Post-Primary Schools: The Emergence of Toxic Leadership

Author

Listed:
  • Nicola Snow

    (School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 PX58 Limerick, Ireland)

  • Niamh Hickey

    (School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 PX58 Limerick, Ireland)

  • Nicolaas Blom

    (School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 PX58 Limerick, Ireland)

  • Liam O’Mahony

    (School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 PX58 Limerick, Ireland)

  • Patricia Mannix-McNamara

    (School of Education, University of Limerick, V94 PX58 Limerick, Ireland)

Abstract

The focus of this research was to explore school leadership in post-primary schools using an adapted Schmidt Toxic Leadership Scale ©, which the authors recalibrated to examine both constructive and destructive leadership, the impact on individuals professional and personal lives, and on staff morale. Using a mixed methods approach, data were collected from 111 teaching professionals via online survey. Findings indicated a notable emergence of toxic leadership experiences which is reported in this paper. In addition, participants reported various and concerning negative consequences including: decreased job satisfaction, professional agency, and staff morale; reduced performance; increased attrition; increased negative behaviours including incivility; stifled career development; reduced self-confidence; depression; stress and anxiety; fear; tearfulness; humiliation; anger; mistrust; exhaustion; burnout; health issues; migraines; weight gain; substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, as well as, negative consequences on personal/home life. The results indicate that the quality of leadership was perceived to influence the health of respondents and had a bearing on their occupational wellbeing. Further research is needed to understand the nature of toxic leadership in education and its effects on organisational members.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicola Snow & Niamh Hickey & Nicolaas Blom & Liam O’Mahony & Patricia Mannix-McNamara, 2021. "An Exploration of Leadership in Post-Primary Schools: The Emergence of Toxic Leadership," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:11:y:2021:i:2:p:54-:d:568143
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nivedita Singh & Santoshi Sengupta & Santosh Dev, 2019. "Toxic Leadership: The Most Menacing Form of Leadership," Chapters, in: Maria Fors Brandebo & Aida Alvinius (ed.), Dark Sides of Organizational Behavior and Leadership, IntechOpen.
    2. Anke Arnaud & Marshall Schminke, 2012. "The Ethical Climate and Context of Organizations: A Comprehensive Model," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(6), pages 1767-1780, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Patricia Mannix-McNamara & Niamh Hickey & Sarah MacCurtain & Nicolaas Blom, 2021. "The Dark Side of School Culture," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Hafsa Siddiqui & Jawad Iqbal, 2024. "What Happens When a Leader is Toxic? A Qualitative Investigation," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 13(1), pages 429-435.

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