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Inside the spiral of dysfunction: The personal consequences of working for a dysfunctional leader
Author(s) -
Shuck Brad,
Rose Kevin,
Bergman Matt
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
new horizons in adult education and human resource development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1939-4225
DOI - 10.1002/nha3.20122
Subject(s) - dysfunctional family , psychology , social psychology , power (physics) , spiral (railway) , psychotherapist , engineering , mechanical engineering , physics , quantum mechanics
Dysfunctional leaders suffocate others with coercive power and ego, are unpredictable, and often lack self‐awareness about their dysfunction. Dysfunctional leaders are incredibly difficult to work with and can cause a series of cascading personal consequences for employees who work with them. This Perspectives in Human Resource Development essay details a proposed spiral of dysfunction as well as practical strategies for overcoming the wounds of working underneath a dysfunctional leader. Strategies include personal boundary setting, knowing emotional triggers, and building social support, among others.