Study: Sleep-Deprived Leaders Harm Teams and Their Health
A new study reveals that poor sleep in leaders can have serious consequences for both them and their teams. The research suggests that even a few nights of insufficient sleep can damage leader-follower relationships and increase the risk of abusive supervisory behaviour the next day.
The study, published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, found that sleep-deprived leaders are less inspiring and charismatic, and more likely to micromanage, react punitively, and set an edgy tone. This can lead to reduced team engagement and productivity.
Chronic sleep deprivation in leaders can also have severe health implications, increasing the risk of depression, addiction, obesity, and metabolic disorders. It impairs emotional regulation, reduces patience, and increases impulsivity, further exacerbating the situation. Moreover, sleep deprivation compromises moral awareness, increasing the likelihood of unethical behaviour.
Organisations are urged to prioritise sleep education in leadership development programs to cultivate effective, ethical, and engaging leadership. However, many organisations currently glorify sleep deprivation, normalising it in business schools and leadership programs.
The findings underscore the critical role of sleep in leadership effectiveness and ethical decision-making. Leaders and organisations should prioritise adequate sleep to foster healthy, productive, and ethical work environments.
