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The Dark Pyramid: Unpacking the Multidimensional Nature of the Dark Side of Leadership

Peter Stephenson et al.

British Journal of Management2026https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.70057article
AJG 4ABDC A*
Weight
0.50

Abstract

The dark side of leadership has been employed as an umbrella term to cover an array of concepts typically concerned with the dysfunctionality and/or toxicity of individual leaders. As the field of leadership studies moves towards ‘post‐heroic’ perspectives, we apply the same ontological positioning, adopting a ‘post‐villainous’ perspective in order to explore the wider network of influence that facilitates and enables the dark side of leadership to emerge and thrive. Through analysis of four high profile case studies of corporate bankruptcies attributed to the dark side of leadership (Enron, Purdue Pharma, Theranos and Wirecard), this paper takes a subjective collective approach that reveals the dark side of leadership as a multi‐faceted phenomenon with varying perceptions and interpretations. We propose a three‐dimensional, dark pyramid comprising internal (f)actors (similar to the original framework), external (f)actors, regulatory (f)actors and outcomes (the word ‘(f)actors’ is used to denote the potential for the influence to be an actor or another factor). By conceptualizing the dark side of leadership as a multidimensional phenomenon, we offer new ways of theorizing, researching and/or addressing the factors that contribute towards the dark side of leadership in organizations.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.70057

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@article{peter2026,
  title        = {{The Dark Pyramid: Unpacking the Multidimensional Nature of the Dark Side of Leadership}},
  author       = {Peter Stephenson et al.},
  journal      = {British Journal of Management},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.70057},
}

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The Dark Pyramid: Unpacking the Multidimensional Nature of the Dark Side of Leadership

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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