Leaders, Stop Rewarding Toxic Rock Stars

Harvard Business Review | Deepa Purushothaman and Lisen Stromberg

Toxic rock stars, high performers who also behave as bullies at work, can have a detrimental impact on company culture, leading to high attrition rates, especially among women of color. Research shows that tolerating and rewarding such behavior can be costly for companies and drive away diverse talent. In an era where diversity is increasingly linked to better business outcomes, leaders need to prioritize creating inclusive and respectful workplace cultures.