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HBR IdeaCast

How Bad Leaders Get Worse over Time

Apr 30, 2024
Barbara Kellerman, a Center for Public Leadership Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School, discusses how bad leaders can spiral downward effortlessly, using examples from the public and private sectors. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing and avoiding ineffective and unethical leaders, highlighting the challenges of defining and combating bad leadership.
20:26

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Quick takeaways

  • Be cautious of leaders setting unrealistic expectations, and watch for blindly supportive followership.
  • Bad leadership worsens without external intervention, requiring early recognition to prevent oppressive outcomes.

Deep dives

Signs of Bad Leadership

One early sign of bad leadership is when a leader makes excessively ambitious promises, setting unrealistic expectations that are detached from reality. This initial warning sign should alert followers to be cautious and observant. Additionally, followers should pay attention to the nature of the followership, noting if it becomes blindly supportive or excessively devoted. When followers unquestioningly endorse a leader's fantastical vision, without critical analysis, potential troubles may arise.

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