HBR IdeaCast
How Bad Leaders Get Worse over Time
Apr 30, 2024
Barbara Kellerman, a Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School and author of "Leadership from Bad to Worse," delves into how bad leaders worsen over time. She discusses the Volkswagen emissions scandal as a cautionary tale illustrating poor leadership's systemic pitfalls. Kellerman emphasizes the need for followers to critically assess their leaders, highlighting examples from tech and beyond. She offers insights on recognizing ineffective leaders and stresses the importance of personal values in leadership dynamics.
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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