Chapter 9 Leadership negligence and malpractice: emotional toxicity at SkyWaves Aerospace international

Abstract

This chapter presents a case which illustrates how the external management consultant may function as an organizational anthropologist and provide insights and alternative strategies for human resource professionals and leadership faced with high toxicity levels. The long-term failure to timely detect toxins and intervene in a destructive conflict results in the spread of dysfunctional behavior in the case company, pointing to leadership negligence and malpractice. The deeply entrenched “no emotions allowed” culture evokes massive turnover and plunging motivation and productivity. The case concludes with specific recommendations for avoiding or repairing a toxic workplace culture.

Citation

Goldman, A. (2008), "Chapter 9 Leadership negligence and malpractice: emotional toxicity at SkyWaves Aerospace international", Zerbe, W.J., Härtel, C.E.J. and Ashkanasy, N.M. (Ed.) Emotions, Ethics and Decision-Making (Research on Emotion in Organizations, Vol. 4), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 207-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1746-9791(08)04009-1