Leadership Mistakes

How to spot the gray rhino

May 9, 2019
There are many reasons we can fail to act on warnings. So what makes a warning more likely to break through, and when are they disregarded?

Fordlandia: A parable of arrogance

April 11, 2019
In the late 1920s, the Ford Motor Company bought millions of acres of land in Brazil. Henry Ford’s intention was to start a rubber plant there, and to utilize that product in the manufacturing of its cars. But his vision was bigger than that.

Best flop ever!

February 10, 2019
Q. What business failure was the most educational for you?

5 scary actions that haunt your reputation

November 8, 2018
While many professionals believe they are perceived as uber-professionals, they don’t realize how all of the mistakes they make cost them influence. Uncover the hidden mistakes you make that frighten off your ability to influence others.

Crush this common thought blunder

October 25, 2018
How great it is, we often think, that we’re so connected to powerful streams of information and data around the clock. Knowledge is power, right? But that accessibility is making one negative phenomenon that occurs in all our minds more powerful.

Pursuing a solution? Make sure it’s needed first

October 19, 2018
The NFL has found that fixing a perceived problem can lead to even more. Are you about to make a similar mistake at work?

5 ways to screw up your work life

August 9, 2018
A surprising number of experienced executives make some bad moves. Here are the top five.

The dangers of getting locked in

August 9, 2018
Deals loading many benefits into the future may get very wispy indeed as that future arrives.

When will we learn: Think twice before gabbing to media

May 10, 2018
Mastering public relations requires a tricky balancing act. Leaders need to appear accessible to the media without revealing too much. Colin Angle, co-founder and CEO of iRobot, recently fell out of balance—and paid the price.

When a business giant is just a square peg

March 28, 2018
The résumé of Kevin Turner, who spent 11 years as chief operating officer of Microsoft, didn’t really mesh with the demands of the world of hedge fund Citadel. And he became an example of a leader who can’t necessarily walk into the boardroom of his choice and dazzle in a different culture.