Modern CTO
How to Realize You’re the Toxic Boss with Rob Kalwarowsky, Executive Coach & Author
May 5, 2025
Rob Kalwarowsky, Executive Coach and author of "Capitalizing on Chaos," shares powerful insights on recognizing and addressing toxic leadership behaviors. He emphasizes the critical role of self-awareness for leaders and draws parallels between effective leadership and the mindset of Olympic athletes. Kalwarowsky discusses the journey past perfectionism, the importance of clear communication, and introduces the GOLD method for building influence. He also highlights the challenges tech executives face in a rapidly changing environment and the need for self-leadership.
46:19
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Quick takeaways
- Self-awareness is essential for leaders to identify toxic behaviors, as external feedback can be hindered by a fear-driven environment.
- Prioritizing mental and physical well-being significantly enhances leadership effectiveness, fostering creativity and promoting a healthier work atmosphere.
Deep dives
Recognizing Toxicity in Leadership
Self-awareness is crucial in identifying if one is a toxic boss, as it can be difficult to recognize damaging behaviors without external feedback. This challenge is compounded when a boss fosters fear within their team, as it discourages honest communication. Rob Kalparovsky discusses the importance of looking internally, suggesting that leaders should acknowledge moments when frustration or anger leads to negative reactions. Reflecting on these triggers can help leaders uncover underlying beliefs and motivations associated with their toxic behaviors.
