Toxic leadership doesn’t always show up as one bad apple. Sometimes, it’s a dynamic — a system that allows harmful leadership to take root and grow. This is where the Toxic Leadership Triangle comes in.
So, what is the Toxic Leadership Triangle? It’s a model that explains how toxic behaviours in leadership are supported and sustained within organisations. In this video from Call of the Wild’s Head of Professional Practice, Dr Barrie Kennard, we explore the impact the following elements that make up the Triangle and the impact they have on productivity and retention.
As Barrie discusses, the triangle is made up of three parts.
The Toxic Leadership Triangle:
- Toxic Leader – A person in power who misuses their position. They may be controlling, manipulative, or ego-driven.
- Conducive Environment – A workplace culture that tolerates or rewards toxic behaviours. This could be due to poor accountability, excessive pressure, or unclear values.
- Susceptible Followers – Team members who, often unintentionally, enable toxicity — through silence, compliance, or fear of speaking up.
When these three factors align, toxic leadership can thrive — damaging morale, performance, and wellbeing across the organisation.
How can you stop it?
Spot the signs early. Build a culture of accountability. Empower your people to speak up. And most importantly — invest in leadership development that strengthens resilience and emotional intelligence.
Want to explore this further? Get in touch to find out what we can do to avoid this and how we can move past it:
Call us: 01639 700 388
Email us: info@callofthewild.co.uk