Horrible bosses − the ones who lose their temper, shout at subordinates and berate their work − are bad for everyone.
On that point, the research is clear. And yet, some bosses continue to act out, perpetuating a legacy of managerial tongue-lashings that stretches from Steve Jobs to Gordon Ramsay to Donald Trump.
A team of researchers decided to find out why.
Here’s what they found: Many toxic bosses thrive on bullying. They think their tirades help the organization, rather than hurt it. They can ridicule an employee in front of the entire staff and feel good about it the next day.
“Afterwards, they may ironically feel more engaged. They feel more valuable at work,” said Joanna Lin, an associate professor of management at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
