signs of toxic leadership and how to avoid becoming one.

SIGNS OF TOXIC LEADERSHIP AND HOW TO AVOID IT BECOMING ONE

1. Pride

 
Proverbs 16:18 New Living Translation
 
18 Pride goes before destruction,
    and haughtiness before a fall.
 
Proverbs 6:16-19 New King James Version
 
16 These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to [a]Him:

17 A[b] proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
​
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
 
People don’t leave organizations they leave leaders.
 

1. Motivated by greed and selfish ambition.
2. Idolatry
3. Passivity
4. Lack of accountability, humility, transparency and apology when something has gone wrong that creates a spirit of offense.
5. Unrealistic demands
6. Crisis of trust Proverbs 11:1 NLT  The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.
7. Inappropriate promotion
8. Culture of dishonor and disrespect
9. Inappropriate placement/impure motives
10. Lack of priority
11. Mismanagement of resources including people.
12. Jealousy, envy and strife and was triggered by favoritism.
13. Hypocrisy
14. Poor treatment
15. Gossip, rumors.
16. Spirit of witchcraft. (Jezebel, Haman, Ahab)

 
 
How to avoid it’s trap:
 

• Learn from the mistakes of others.
• Be intentional about staying humble.
• Attend leadership courses and personal development.
• You need to find your tribe.
• Stay in God’s face.
• Close the door to demonic influence
• Don’t believe your own press and don’t make it about you. People show up because of the mission to serve not because they want to worship you.
• Practice gratitude
• Promote the right people and demote the wrong ones.

 
Proverbs 3:6 New King James Version
 
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall [a]direct your paths.
 

• Consider how long you want to stay of if you should stay.
• Eventually God will respond either he will remove them or he will remove you.

 
 
© 2025 Dr. Samaria M Colbert