What drives a toxic leader's decision-making?

A toxic leader's decision-making is primarily driven by self-interest and personal gain. Such leaders often prioritize their own goals, ambitions, and desires above the needs and welfare of their team or organization. This self-serving approach can manifest in various ways, such as making decisions that benefit themselves at the expense of others, manipulating situations to their advantage, and fostering an environment where their authority is used to monopolize power rather than empower team members.

In contrast, other choices focus on aspects like team welfare, organizational values, or peer feedback, which are indicative of positive leadership qualities rather than toxic behavior. A leader who genuinely cares about the team’s success would make decisions aimed at fostering collaboration and growth, whereas those influenced by organizational values would align their decisions with the overall mission and ethics of the organization. Peer feedback and support can enhance leadership effectiveness but are irrelevant in the context of a toxic leader, whose actions are typically characterized by a lack of consideration for others’ input or wellbeing.