Despotic Leadership, Acquiescent Silence, and Organizational Career Growth

Background: Despotic leadership, characterized by authoritarian control, self-interest, and suppression of dissent, often creates an environment where employees resort to acquiescent silence, withholding ideas or concerns out of fear or perceived futility. Such a climate undermines trust, discourages open communication, and stifles innovation, ultimately hindering organizational career growth by limiting opportunities for employee development, recognition, and advancement. The aim of study was to assess the relationship between despotic leadership, acquiescent silence, and organizational career growth. Methods: Research design: A descriptive correlational research design was used to conduct the study. Setting: The study was conducted at El-Mabara hospital for health insurance, Zagazig, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Participants: A Convenience sample was taken from all staff nurses available at the time of data collection the total number of nurse (354). Tools of data collection: Three tools were used to conduct the study; despotic leadership scale, acquiescent silence scale and organizational career growth scale. Results: The study results showed that the nurses generally perceived a moderate level of despotic leadership (35,6%), high level of acquiescent silence (47,5%) and high level of organizational career growth (45,7%). Conclusion: there was statistically significant and negative correlation between despotic Leadership, acquiescent silence, and organizational career growth. Recommendation: Promote positive leadership: implement continuous training for leaders and managers on transformational and ethical leadership practices to reduce the prevalence of despotic behaviors.