Toxic Boss or Tough Leader? Evaluate Your Leadership Style

Leadership requires setting high standards and pushing your team to succeed, but sometimes there’s a fine line between being a tough leader who inspires growth and a toxic one who undermines their team. This self-assessment will help you reflect on your own leadership style and identify whether your approach is motivating your team or possibly harming their productivity and well-being.

Rate yourself on the following statements from 1 to 5, where:

• 1 = Never

• 2 = Rarely

• 3 = Sometimes

• 4 = Often

• 5 = Always

1. I provide clear, actionable feedback to my team that helps them improve.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders offer guidance and support, while toxic leaders criticize without being constructive.)

2. I find myself getting frustrated or angry with my team and sometimes express this in front of others.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders manage their emotions. Toxic leaders may express frustration in ways that damage trust.)

3. I encourage my team to take ownership of projects, even when I set high expectations for their performance.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders foster autonomy, while toxic leaders micromanage and control all aspects.)

4. I recognize and give credit to my team for their successes, even when I’ve played a key role.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders celebrate team wins. Toxic leaders take credit and ignore team contributions.)

5. I push my team to compete against each other to drive results.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders encourage healthy collaboration. Toxic leaders pit team members against each other.)

6. I respect my team's work-life balance and understand when they need time outside of work to recharge.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders push for performance but respect boundaries. Toxic leaders demand constant availability.)

7. I provide opportunities for my team to grow and develop, such as mentoring or offering challenging projects.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders invest in their team’s development. Toxic leaders often neglect or block growth opportunities.)

8. When stressed, I remain calm and do not take out my frustration on my team.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders manage their emotions under pressure. Toxic leaders may lash out or create a stressful environment.)

9. I regularly acknowledge my team’s hard work and accomplishments.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders offer praise for achievements. Toxic leaders may focus solely on what’s wrong or needs improvement.)

10. I build a supportive, collaborative team culture where people feel valued and heard.
1 ⬜️ 2 ⬜️ 3 ⬜️ 4 ⬜️ 5 ⬜️
(Tough leaders create an inclusive team atmosphere. Toxic leaders foster environments where employees feel isolated or undervalued.)

Scoring:

• 10 - 25 Points:
  You are likely a tough but fair leader. You set high standards and challenge your team, but you also provide the support and recognition they need to succeed. Continue fostering growth while maintaining strong relationships with your team.

• 26 - 40 Points:
  You may exhibit some toxic leadership tendencies. While you might be pushing for results, there are areas where your behavior could be negatively impacting your team’s morale or performance. Reflect on your approach and consider making changes to build a healthier work environment.

• 41 - 50 Points:
  Your leadership style may lean toward toxic. This could be affecting your team’s productivity, well-being, and long-term success. It’s important to reassess how you manage your team and make a conscious effort to develop a more positive, supportive leadership style.

This self-assessment helps leaders reflect on their own behaviour, identifying areas where they may be crossing the line from tough to toxic, while offering insight on how to become a better leader.