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The Digital Authoritarian: On the Evolution and Spread of Toxic Leadership

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  • Brian L. Ott

    (Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 65897, USA)

  • Carrisa S. Hoelscher

    (Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO 65897, USA)

Abstract

Employing a critical approach typical of humanities-based research, this article investigates the changing nature of toxic leadership in our digital world. Drawing on the perspective of media ecology, which asserts that the prevailing communication technologies at a given moment create the social conditions that, in turn, condition us, the authors illustrate how the digital logics of publicity, intransigence, impertinence, and impulsivity remake the contours of leadership. Based on a critical case study of Elon Musk’s public management of Twitter, which has subsequently been rebranded as “X”, it is argued that the four digital logics transform toxic leadership into digital authoritarianism, an unabashed form of authoritarian rule. A concluding section of the essay explores the implications of this evolution for traditional categories of leadership; the importance of attending to communication technologies in leadership research; and the individual, institutional, and social harms of digital authoritarianism.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian L. Ott & Carrisa S. Hoelscher, 2023. "The Digital Authoritarian: On the Evolution and Spread of Toxic Leadership," World, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jworld:v:4:y:2023:i:4:p:46-744:d:1275581
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Guo, Liang & Decoster, Stijn & Babalola, Mayowa T. & De Schutter, Leander & Garba, Omale A. & Riisla, Katrin, 2018. "Authoritarian leadership and employee creativity: The moderating role of psychological capital and the mediating role of fear and defensive silence," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 219-230.
    2. Zhen Wang & Yuan Liu & Songbo Liu, 2019. "Authoritarian leadership and task performance: the effects of leader-member exchange and dependence on leader," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.
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