Destructive Leadership Behavior: An Exploratory Study in Chile

ABSTRACT

The darker side of leadership is unexplored. To help fill this gap, this study focuses on the subordinate’s perspective of destructive leadership behaviors. The purpose of this article is to identify the most frequent destructive leadership behaviors in small elementary schools in Chile through a qualitative approach. According to the data, leaders who are frequently labeled as destructive exhibit autocratic leadership, poor communication, inconsistent/erratic behavior, and poor strategic skills. Through an analysis of the idiosyncratic Chilean context, we aim to contribute to the international discussion surrounding the darker side of leadership and suggest theoretical considerations and implications for the field.