2009 dissertation winner explores toxic leaders

An understudied area, that of how "toxic" leaders operate within organizations is the subject of the 2009 Jablin Dissertation Award. The paper defines charactiertics of "toxic" leaders and the extent to which these harmful actions affect followers' self-esteem, occupational security, perceptions of inequity, and physical and mental well-being. By expanding existing typologies of destructive leader behaviors, researchers and practitioners can engage in further explorations of harmful leadership that examine the emotional and psychological consequences of specific behavioral manifestations of leader toxicity.

The recipient is Kathie Pelletier, College of Business & Public Administration California State University, San Bernardino and the title of her paper is "The Effects of Favored Status and Identification with Victim on Perceptions of and Reactions to Leader Toxicity."

The Jepson School of Leadership Studies established the dissertation award in 1999 to encourage new scholars to develop research on leadership. It was renamed in 2004 in memory of Jepson School professor Fredric M. Jablin.

Dr. Pelletier will present her dissertation chapter at the International Leadership Association Meeting in Prague on November 14. Jepson Professor George R. Goethals will respond.

The Fredric M. Jablin Dissertation award is given annually to a scholar(s) whose dissertation research, while on any topic and from any discipline, demonstrates substantial insights and implications for the study of leadership.

Posted November 3, 2009