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Are Your Flaws Scalable Too? Print E-mail

I recently met a woman who described her CEO as real jerk. Yet, when she knew him ten years ago when he was a GM he was far more effective and a more descent person to be around. What is it that happens to leaders to change their personality as they lead?

Here are a few reasons:

  • pressure: a lot of people are depending on them
  • powerlessness: Leaders act out because they question their ability to have impact. They wonder if maybe they lack any real power.
  • fear of failure: leaders are in a fight response to their demands.
  • speed: its quicker to yell than understand.
  • lack of perceived options: never learned any other options
  • culture support: some managers praise you for negative traits that get resutls

Success is confusing. You probably have known one of these successful people: The CEO who screams at people to get things done. The salesman who lies to make the deal. The GM who threatens people at every turn. Successes can make you think your flaws are acceptable.

As you are achieving important things, you are dragging your flaws right along with you. Sometimes it is hard to separate if your good behavior or bad behavior are the main reason for your success. Leaders begin to think their flaws and their success are part of the same package.

So lets be real honest why we nurture our flaws: They work (at least part of the time). Yep we learned from a young age that certain behaviors can get results.

But will the success of your flaws really be scalable? Can you afford to keep nurturing your flaws as you progress in your career?


 

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