The Dark Side of Leadership: Navigating Toxic Organisations and Transformational Change

This book addresses dark leadership and its toxic consequences for individuals and organisations. It explores how business transformation and organisational change can create dehumanising work environments, where performance is pushed beyond sustainable levels and leadership become rigid, exploitative, and harmful.

Through a critical review, case studies, and real-world examples of dark leadership concept, the book examines dark leadership styles such as Narcissistic, Psychopathic, Machiavellian, Toxic, and Exploitative, and how these behaviours often emerge in both senior and middle management. It offers insight into the ways external pressures are internalised by leaders and translated into damaging expectations for individuals and teams.

Chapters guide the reader through recognising the signs of dark leadership, understanding its psychological and organisational impact, and developing practical strategies for resistance, resilience, and change. This book is a valuable resource for leaders, consultants, students, and academics seeking to better understand the darker side of leadership and navigate complex, high-pressure organisational contexts with greater awareness and integrity.

Dr Sinem Bulkan is a Lecturer in Leadership at Henley Business School, University of Reading. Before her academic career, she worked in managerial roles in automotive and education sectors. Her research explores dark leadership and its impact on individual and organisations. With a PhD in Organisational Behaviour, she combines academic rigour and managerial experience to inform transformative leadership education and scholarship.

Malcolm Higgs is a Professor of Leadership at Birmingham City University Business School and an Emeritus Professor at Southampton University. Before moving into academia, his experience was in HR both as a director and consultant. He is a chartered occupational psychologist and has developed assessment tools for Emotional Intelligence and Emotionally Intelligent Leadership as well as publishing extensively in both academic journals and books.