Why may some leaders resort to scapegoating?

Leaders may resort to scapegoating primarily to shift blame from themselves when something goes wrong within an organization. This behavior allows them to protect their own reputation and status by directing attention away from their responsibilities and onto others. By identifying a "scapegoat," which is often an individual or group that is made to bear the blame for adverse outcomes, leaders can deflect accountability and maintain their position of power. This tactic may serve short-term goals of self-preservation; however, it can ultimately undermine trust within the team, harm relationships, and create a toxic work environment where individuals feel insecure and unsupported.

In contrast to scapegoating, effective leadership ideally involves accountability and fostering a culture of collaboration and learning from mistakes rather than blaming others, which can be detrimental to team morale and cohesion.