ATLANTA, 2025-06-17 19:50:00
Bad Bosses Thrive on Abuse
New research explores why some supervisors use abusive behavior to get ahead.
- Some bosses admit to using abusive behavior to maintain control.
- Abuse can stem from a desire to boost employee performance or assert leadership.
- Supervisors may feel a sense of accomplishment after using abusive tactics.
Why do some bosses thrive on abusive behavior? A new study suggests that some supervisors intentionally use abusive tactics to achieve specific goals, such as increasing compliance or reinforcing their leadership position. Szu-Han (Joanna) Lin, a professor in management at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business, has studied workplace abuse for two decades.
Lin notes that while the negative impacts of abusive behavior on productivity and performance are well-known, the behavior persists. The research aimed to understand why some leaders choose to act abusively. The inspiration for this work came from the reality show Hell’s Kitchen, where chef Gordon Ramsay’s angry outbursts sparked Lin’s curiosity.
Did you know?-Workplace abuse can take many forms, including yelling, belittling comments, and public humiliation. These behaviors can create a toxic work environment and negatively impact employee well-being.
The study included a survey of 100 supervisors from various fields, including manufacturing, construction, nursing, and sales. The open-ended questionnaires revealed that while some supervisors yelled due to burnout, a meaningful number admitted to using abusive tactics to enforce orders or assert their authority.
The Impact of abuse
Reader question:-Have you ever witnessed or experienced abusive behavior from a supervisor? What impact did it have on your work and overall morale?
A second study surveyed 249 supervisors daily over 15 days.The goal was to assess the context, nature and the supervisors’ feelings surrounding the abusive behavior. Lin’s team found that negative emotions or burnout frequently enough preceded abusive actions.
However, a considerable number of supervisors reported purposely yelling at or belittling subordinates to get them to perform better or to strengthen their leadership role. When supervisors were burned out and yelled at their employees, they felt guilty. When supervisors were abusive to get employees to perform or to reinforce their leadership role, the bosses felt better afterward, as if they had accomplished something.
“If they engage in these behaviors with a goal in mind, like boosting compliance or preserving their identity as leaders, they’re satisfying an emotional need,” Lin says.
Pro tip:-If you are experiencing abusive behavior at work, document each incident with specific details, including dates, times, and witnesses. This documentation can be crucial if you decide to report the abuse.
The study highlights that understanding the motivations behind supervisors’ actions is crucial for developing more effective leadership training. It can definitely help managers find healthier ways to achieve their goals. It’s essential for leaders to recognize the potential motivations behind their actions. They need to develop better leadership tools instead of relying on abusive behavior.
“If you engage in abusive behaviors,it will always lead to negative outcomes,” Lin says. “No one will be motivated at all. Leaders need to acknowledge this is happening if we want them to develop better tools and tactics.”
The research appears in the Journal of Management.
