we continue to revisit blog entries from the spring of 2013.
It's fascinating to see how some things never change.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.
Outta my way...
Having lived through the reality of an errant leader's errors, I was saddened to hear that even now those involved continue to deny responsibility. They claim failure was due to a team who "never believed." In reality their strategy was flawed and others did their best to implement it. Now those survivors are left with the mess.
The other day I had brunch with
a former colleague. After nibbling
our eggs Benedict , we started to
dig into the Benedict Arnold's
we've known and worked with.
Sadly that part of our repast was
not easily digested. You see, we
decided that the combination of
unlimited power and unfettered
ego is often a lethal cocktail.
When one works and lives outside
of the norm, the usual end result
is a rampant sense of entitlement.
Shielded by minions who only
do one's bidding, many leaders
develop a warped perspective.
Their man made fantasies slowly
form into hyper individualistic
perspectives with no link to facts.
Godlike, they rule their reality.
Power corrupts?
The CEO of a youth focused specialty
retailer was recently ousted due to bad
business and prejudicial behavior. For
years his personal perspective skewed
their strategy. Meanwhile his comfort
was deemed so vital that his partner
was paid to run a separate company
tasked with making sure that the big
boss was happy. Thus was he out of
touch due to arrogance or indulgence?
retailer was recently ousted due to bad
business and prejudicial behavior. For
years his personal perspective skewed
their strategy. Meanwhile his comfort
was deemed so vital that his partner
was paid to run a separate company
tasked with making sure that the big
boss was happy. Thus was he out of
touch due to arrogance or indulgence?
If you live in isolated splendor,
it's understandable that your
view of the world could possibly
be warped at best. Does living an
existence of private jets and
ritzy suites justify rampant lay
offs and the evaporation of key
corporate assets? How do these
leaders sleep at night on their
hand pressed Pratesi sheets?
Can one blame these egomaniacs?
Allowed to operate unchecked,
why should they change their
behavior? Who is responsible for
maintaining a sense of balance?
Isn't the ownness on those who
empower the emperor? Are the
Board of Directors acting above
board? Or are their personal
agendas also fueling the mania?
In truth, many are impacted by
a few. When someone is given
ultimate authority they must
have the character and resolve
to never allow it to cloud their
connection with reality. Hmm,
I wonder if there's anybody left
in America like that? Whether
man or woman, please step up
and take us to a better place!