Identifying Dark Leadership

Dark leadership is a pervasive phenomenon in organisations, often manifesting through destructive traits, behaviours, and perceptions that undermine employee well-being and workplace culture. This chapter explores the identification of dark leadership by examining key indicators within the work context. It begins with an analysis of measurement tools used to assess dark leadership, followed by a discussion of the specific traits and behaviours commonly associated with dark leaders. The chapter further investigates how employees perceive dark leadership and how these perceptions shape organisational outcomes. Additionally, it considers the self-perception of dark leaders, questioning whether they recognise their own dark tendencies. By integrating psychological, organisational, and empirical perspectives, this chapter provides practitioners with a framework for recognising and addressing dark leadership in professional environments.