We’ve all experienced or heard of flawed leadership examples, resulting in the end of the leader’s reign and more often a long list of damages and even lost lives caused by those flaws.
Here are the six most deadly sins I believe a leader can commit:
1. To place self-interest before the higher good.
Example 1: making a decision that is popular with a few supporters but disadvantageous to the higher good and/or the many.
Example 2: Sepp Blatter.
2. To allow core values to be breached for commercial gain.
Example 1: Allowing a big company to steal a smaller company’s design, knowing they can’t afford to press a legal claim.
Example 2: Sepp Blatter.
3. To blame others for one’s own errors and conversely to take the credit for others’ efforts.
Example: You’ve probably already experienced many of these.
4. To deliberately choose people who are more likely to be submissive or compliant or less capable and dependent upon the leader.
Examples: Pick your top three dictators.
5. To hang on to the position despite the clear need to be replaced.
Example1: Sepp Blatter.
Example 2: Pick your top three dictators!
6. To fail to take notice of sound advice.
Example 1: The Charge of the Light Brigade.
Example 2: Custer and the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
What do you think?