David Deming, Professor of Political Economy at Harvard, challenges conventional views on leadership. He reveals that those eager to lead often perform poorly, highlighting that effective leadership relies on skills rather than desire. Topics include the pitfalls of overconfidence, the significance of emotional intelligence, and how randomly selected leaders can outperform volunteers. Deming advocates for smarter selection and development of leaders based on capabilities, urging organizations to rethink their approach to fostering effective management.