If all team members have a common vision of leadership that exerts a positive influence on those around them, the results can be amazing. On the other hand, if players decide to use their influence for selfish ends, the results can be toxic. In general, we can say that gossips destroy trust and undermines team cohesiveness and togetherness.

toxic leadership can produce systemic damage throughout an organization. Under toxic leaders, employees have basically two options: conform or leave. Those who remain will experience a diminishing of expectations. Some will be aware that the situation is less than ideal; these people may keep hoping that the situation will change, or be on the lookout for the right time to leave. Others, however, may come to see toxic leadership as normal, and conform willingly. These will be groomed to be the next generation of toxic leaders!

Especially, narcissistic leaders can be toxic.

Toxic leadership destroys the trust and credibility of the philosophy and foundation that holds the team and organization together

Dear Fatma,

Generally speaking, a toxic leader is a someone who has a leadership responsibility over a group of people or an organization, and who intern abuses her/his leader–follower relationship through leaving her/his followers, the group, and/or organization in a worse condition as opposed to the condition when she/he started. Sports teams are no stranger to this type of leadership. For instance, some college or professional football and basketball or other sports coaches in the US might fall under this description and this definition. As a consequence, some players end transferring to other colleges and teams. In practice, Colleges and professional teams’ administration move quickly to fire them.

Personally, I am aware of a few college basketball and football coaches here who fall under aforementioned description, you can focus on your own country examples of football coaches and other sports.

Best of luck!