When self-leadership turns self-destructive
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Self-leadership is a relatively new practice of understanding who you are and developing strategies to motivate yourself to achieve a desired goal.
When applied correctly, it can help a leader flourish and cope in a variety of ways.
But what happens when self-leadership turns to self-destruction?
An Arizona State University professor recently discovered the practice is not always foolproof. He said it can sometimes lead to harsh self-criticism, impulsive or harmful behaviors, negative self-talk and overwhelming stress.
Christopher Neck, professor of management at ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, and one of the world’s top self-leadership researchers, co-authored a new paper titled “Destructive Self-Leadership? Self-Leadership, Maladaptive Coping, and Stress in College” with four other academicsNeck’s co-authors include Shery A. Maykrantz, Jeffery D. Houghton and Christopher B. Neck.. Their study reveals specific ways in which self-leadership could lead to poor coping strategies.
ASU News spoke to Neck about these new findings and how self-leadership can go sideways.
Question: What is self-leadership, and why is it important in managing stress and anxiety?
Answer: Self-leadership is the process of guiding and influencing oneself to achieve personal goals and improve performance through strategies like goal setting, self-talk and visualization. Unlike external leadership that relies on others' direction, self-leadership empowers individuals to take proactive control over their actions and thoughts.
In managing stress and anxiety, self-leadership plays a critical role in helping individuals develop coping mechanisms and resilience. For example, using positive self-talk or visualizing successful outcomes can reduce feelings of overwhelm and foster a sense of control. These strategies encourage individuals to focus on their strengths, improve their problem-solving skills and manage their emotional responses effectively.
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Q: How can self-leadership lead to both positive and negative outcomes?
A: Self-leadership can result in positive outcomes by fostering constructive behaviors, such as exercise, seeking social support or using relaxation techniques to manage stress. These behaviors, known as adaptive coping strategies, help individuals maintain their mental and physical health.
However, the study highlights a paradox: Self-leadership can also lead to negative outcomes when individuals misuse its strategies. For example, excessive self-criticism or setting unrealistic goals can trigger maladaptive behaviors like rumination, avoidance or substance use. This “dark side” of self-leadership shows that while it is a powerful tool, its effectiveness depends on how it is applied.
Q: What are adaptive and maladaptive coping behaviors, and how do they relate to self-leadership?
A: Adaptive coping behaviors are healthy strategies individuals use to handle stress, such as problem-solving, engaging in physical activity or seeking emotional support. These behaviors promote well-being and reduce anxiety.
Maladaptive coping behaviors, on the other hand, include unhealthy responses like procrastination, overeating or substance abuse. These behaviors often exacerbate stress and hinder recovery.
The study found that self-leadership influences both types of coping behaviors. While it encourages adaptive strategies, it can also unintentionally promote maladaptive ones, particularly when individuals feel overwhelmed or apply self-leadership strategies negatively.
Q: What does the study reveal about the connection between self-leadership and anxiety?
A: The study reveals a complex relationship between self-leadership and anxiety. While self-leadership is designed to reduce stress by fostering adaptive coping strategies, it can also increase anxiety if it leads to maladaptive behaviors. For instance, individuals who engage in excessive self-criticism or focus on their failures may experience heightened anxiety.
Interestingly, the study found that the negative effects of maladaptive coping often outweighed the benefits of adaptive coping, leading to a net increase in anxiety for some individuals. This finding underscores the importance of applying self-leadership techniques carefully and constructively.
Excessive self-criticism or setting unrealistic goals can trigger maladaptive behaviors.
Christopher NeckW. P. Carey School of Business professor
Q: How can individuals use self-leadership effectively to reduce stress and improve their well-being?
A: To use self-leadership effectively, individuals should focus on positive and constructive strategies. Setting realistic goals, engaging in positive self-talk and visualizing successful outcomes can build resilience and reduce stress. For example, instead of dwelling on failures, individuals can reflect on their achievements and lessons learned.
Additionally, it is crucial to recognize and avoid maladaptive behaviors. Practicing mindfulness and seeking feedback from trusted peers or mentors can help identify patterns of self-leadership that may be counterproductive. By fostering awareness and balance, individuals can harness the benefits of self-leadership while minimizing its potential pitfalls.
Q: What are the next steps with your research involving self-leadership and anxiety that could expand this study?
A: Building on the current findings, my future research will explore how individual differences — such as personality traits or levels of emotional intelligence — influence the effectiveness of self-leadership strategies. For instance, are people with higher emotional intelligence better able to avoid maladaptive coping behaviors when practicing self-leadership?
Additionally, I will explore via longitudinal studies how the application of self-leadership evolves. Does consistent practice lead to stronger adaptive coping mechanisms or does prolonged self-regulation increase the risk of psychological resource depletion?
Finally, I will conduct interventions that enhance constructive self-leadership while minimizing destructive tendencies, which could provide valuable insights. For example, designing and testing self-leadership training programs that include mindfulness techniques or peer support systems could help individuals navigate stress more effectively while reducing anxiety.
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