Genius-to-Folly Syndrome

Do we know how close to failure we may be? Our relentless competitive quest for more power and status may be our own undoing. Leaders who are prone to recklessness are the ones that are adapt in creating scenarios that reflect their own optimistic values and forward charging inclinations. We are most in danger when we begin to take for granted benchmarks of past progress and personal success.

Genius-to-folly syndrome is incredibly difficult to avoid. Although there is no universal set of early warning signs foreshadowing recklessness, here are six symptoms:

(1) Much of our time is spent plugging holes and papering over cracks even as we work to put the best spin we can on nagging substantial problems;

(2) Our disposition changes and we begin to punish the bearers of bad news;

(3) Our loyal aides and advisers (our subordinates, our friends, and colleagues) feel unable to bounce ideas off us, or more importantly, cannot collaborate with us on much-needed reality checks – - we have become the emperor with no clothes;

(4) Our self-importance brings on illusions of grandeur and infallibility – - we are defensive and so is everyone around us;

(5) We begin to feel entitled, to what we have and what we have achieved, as we seek yet more power and status – - we dismiss any notions of our own greediness;

(6) When we feel secure and in full control of our own destiny, we stubbornly refuse to take a timeout to take a look around and inventory our actual position.

What is most difficult to cope with is success. Risk-taking leaders in particular often begin to consider themselves to be exempt from the rules that govern other people’s behavior. Leaders who have demonstrated intelligence, resourcefulness, and the drive to succeed often become susceptible to uncharacteristic lapses in professional judgment and/or personal conduct. Further, success with risk-taking and rule-breaking frequently leads to a propensity to cast off self-restraint, prudence, and a sense of proportion. Often successful leaders become confused with the difference between nerve and talent.

Hmmmh….