Investigation of the Relationship Between School Principals' Toxic Leadership Behaviors and Teachers' Perceptions of Organizational Gossip

Abstract

This research investigated the relationship between school principals' toxic leadership behaviors and teachers' perceptions of organizational gossip using the relational screening model. The sample consisted of 276 teachers selected through a simple random sampling method from public schools in Sakarya province. The Toxic Leadership Scale and Organizational Gossip Perceptions Scale served as data collection tools. Data analysis revealed that teachers' perceptions of toxic leadership and organizational gossip did not statistically differ based on gender or professional seniority. However, perceptions varied according to the school type in which they worked. The study found a positive relationship between teachers' perceptions of school principals' toxic leadership behaviors and levels of organizational gossip. Toxic leadership is a significant predictor of organizational gossip. The findings underscore the need for more research on the relationship between toxic leadership and organizational gossip, emphasizing the importance of reinforcing these results with qualitative studies.