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Table 3 Toxic leadership practices: an opportunity for transformation at the personal and organizational level

From: Leadership experiences and practices of South African health managers: what is the influence of gender? -a qualitative, exploratory study

This leader was subject to significant challenges as a first-time hospital manager and reported experiencing significant prejudice from white male doctors, who questioned her appointment as a black woman. Some of these difficulties continued into her current role, demonstrating the negative reinforcement of inadequate support and capacity to take on leadership roles, especially when compounded by prejudice and discrimination. Her willingness to open herself and her team to a coaching intervention catalyzed positive change in her leadership practices and the organizational culture. Prior to the coaching intervention, interactions with the manager were described by a colleague as ‘going into hell’. Following the intervention, the same colleague described interactions with her as ‘enjoyable’ and where he ‘looked forward to going to her office’.