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Toxic Leadership: A Phenomenological Investigation Of Recently Retired U.S. Army Service Members' Experiences With Toxic Leaders, Dale A. Henny

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study investigates the experiences of recently retired U.S. Army service members with toxic leadership. The study involved a sample of 10 participants, with data collection conducted through one-on-one, face-to-face interviews using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Interviews for the study were conducted face-to-face or through virtual platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, with each session lasting no longer than 90 minutes. Data analysis employed a six-step thematic analysis method, with coding completed through NVivo after initial hand-coding. Findings revealed that the military culture, characterized by strict hierarchy and obedience, inadvertently fosters an environment conducive to toxic leadership. Participants reported that …