No one sets out to become a “toxic” leader. Most leaders truly want to support their teams, deliver results, and make a difference. But somewhere along the way, things get blurry. The pressure builds. Expectations shift. The gap between who you are and how you’re showing up grows wider.
If you’ve been wondering “Why does my team seem disengaged?” or “Why do I feel so reactive lately?”—you’re not alone. These aren’t signs of failure. They’re signals. And leadership coaching in Montreal can help you listen to those signals, reflect with honesty, and recalibrate with purpose.
1. The Control Trap
You’ve always prided yourself on being thorough. But lately, you’re double-checking everyone’s work, stepping into every decision, and losing sleep over things you used to delegate.
This isn’t about being a perfectionist — it’s about fear. Fear of failure. Fear of losing control. And that fear can slowly turn your team’s motivation into resentment.
Leadership coaching helps leaders build real trust, both in others and in themselves, so the need to control can loosen its grip.
2. The Feedback Freeze
Many leaders start avoiding hard conversations. You don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, or maybe you just don’t have the energy to deal with pushback. So, you say nothing. You hope the problem fixes itself.
But silence often breeds confusion, not peace. And over time, your team might start to feel ignored, frustrated, or even unsafe.
You might wonder:
- Is it really worth bringing up?
- What if they take it the wrong way?
Coaching offers tools to communicate with clarity and kindness — even during the tough stuff.
3. The Burnout Spiral
When you’re running on empty, even small things can feel like personal attacks. Patience fades. Snapping becomes easier than listening. You might not even notice how your tone or body language has shifted — but your team definitely does.
Some signs of this toxic shift include:
- Getting irritated over minor mistakes
- Avoiding team conversations
- Showing up emotionally checked out or overly reactive
An experienced leadership coach helps you recognize burnout signs early and recover in ways that don’t hurt your people in the process.
4. The “Always On” Trap
Good leaders often blur the lines between caring and overextending.
You might think:
- If I say no, I’ll let someone down.
- It’s easier to just do it myself.
Healthy boundaries aren’t selfish. They’re sustainable. Coaching helps leaders understand the cost of always being available and how to step back without disconnecting.
5. The Image Obsession
Leadership can feel like a spotlight — always being watched, always being judged. So, some leaders start performing instead of leading. They hide struggles, avoid vulnerability, and pretend to have all the answers.
Eventually, the gap between how you feel and how you act creates stress, disconnection, and mistrust.
You may wonder:
- Will they respect me if I admit I’m overwhelmed?
- What does it say about me if I need help?
Leadership coaching gives space to explore those fears and show up more authentically — which is what people connect with most.
In Closing:
Toxic leadership behaviors often come from good people under too much pressure, with too little support. Coaching doesn’t point fingers. It helps hold up a mirror — gently, honestly, and with care.
If you’ve noticed shifts in how you lead and how your team responds, that’s your cue. You don’t need to keep pushing through. You can pause. Reflect. Choose something different.
Real leadership isn’t about getting everything right. It’s about growing through the hard stuff, with help when you need it.
