Yesterday, I posted an entry about an interview in which Lorin Maazel, music director of the New York Philharmonic, mentioned humility as a key leadership trait.
In the October issue of Harvard Business Review, social psychologist Roderick Kramer encourages CEOs to "keep your big head in check." Among his advice to leaders:
Deposed Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski, whose trial continues apace, would have been well-served to follow the above advice. Not only are prosecutors charging Kozlowski with stealing $600 million from the company, but a four-hour video tape captures scenes at a birthday party in Sardinia that Kozlowski billed to Tyco. With trappings such as chariots, men dressed as gladiators, a Jimmy Buffet performance, and a birthday cake shaped like a woman's upper body, the party seems anything but humble.
Self-confidence is one thing. But how can leaders better balance confidence and pride with humility?
Related Stories: | Topics:Leadership, Dennis Kozlowski, Lorin Maazel, Roderick Kramer, New York Philharmonic, Harvard Business Review |
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Recent Comments | 1 Total
October 28, 2003 at 3:18pm by Rob
I think this is more of a problem for extroverts. Introverts don't mind other people getting credit, being out of the limelight, and all that. They tend to be more quietly confident - willing to speak, but not actively seeking opportunities to do so.
At the risk of sounding sexist, I think this is one reason why companies should hire more female CEOs. Women tend to be more self reflective and self-critical, which increases their humility. They care more about others' contributions too. Meg Whitman, for example, has every right to brag, but she doesn't. There are many female leaders out there with all the same good qualities that men have and none of the bad ones like lust for power. Part of the reason they don't get promoted to higher levels is that they don't seek it out and lust for it like the Kozlowskis of this world.