Can toxic leaders achieve results?

Toxic leaders can indeed achieve results, primarily in the short term, which is why the chosen answer is considered correct. Their leadership style often focuses on manipulation, fear, or intense pressure, which can drive immediate outcomes or performance. This may manifest as increased productivity or meeting temporary goals, often at the expense of team morale and well-being.

Despite achieving these short-term results, toxic leadership typically leads to negative long-term consequences, such as high turnover, decreased trust, and a toxic work environment. This can erode the foundational strength of a team or organization over time, making sustained high performance challenging. The input of team members may diminish as they disengage or leave, limiting the capacity for future success beyond immediate goals.

In contrast, other options propose different perspectives that do not align with the reality of toxic leadership's impact over time. Some suggest long-term results or empowerment, which are more characteristic of positive or transformational leadership styles that foster collaboration and healthy environments. Toxic leaders, by contrast, fail to build the kind of trust and resilience necessary for sustained success. The assertion that toxic leaders cannot achieve results at all overlooks the immediate impact they can have on performance metrics in the short run.