Ineffective-Leader-Induced Occupational Stress

The purpose of this study is to explore the meaning or essence of the phenomenon of ineffective-leader-induced occupational stress inside and outside the workplace based on the perceptions and the lived experiences of the followers. Participants included a purposive sample of nine individuals. The present study was able to demonstrate that all participants experienced occupational stress resulting from ineffective leadership, which was associated with diminished organizational and individual outcomes including negative employee health problems at the psychological and physiological levels. The results in the study revealed the importance of follower perceptions in leadership effectiveness. It is the role of the organization, the leaders, and the followers—as a whole—to understand the perceptions of others and work toward finding exemplary approaches where both leaders and followers play active, vital roles in organizational success and minimize occupational stress.