Too Proud to Lead: How Hubris Can Destroy Effective Leadership and What to Do About It

(Hardback)

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A fascinating investigation into how leaders confidence can transform into hubris, which has the devastating potential to lead not only to their own downfall, but also to the collapse of entire organizations. While confidence is a vital attribute for any successful business leader, it is often taken too far they fall into the pitfalls of hubris and, like Icarus, find themselves flying too close to the sun. Laying out the dangers of arrogant overconfidence for both individuals and organizations, this book explores both the economic and psychological costs of this destructive behaviour, and boldly argues for a new, revolutionary approach to leadership. Written by three world-renowned experts, Too Proud to Lead provides readers with the essential arsenal of tools for understanding, identifying, anticipating and coping with hubris, in both themselves and in their workplace. Supported by fascinating case studies and enlightening analysis, this is a much-needed antidote to the hubris plague spreading through the leadership of today.

Reviews

An essential read if we truly are to confront the huge challenges of modern life. -- Margaret Heffernan, TED speaker and bestselling author of 'Uncharted'
Through incredibly engaging stories and compelling evidence, Too Proud to Lead clarifies the risks, costs, and enablers of hubris, which is paramount if leaders are to demonstrate more significant levels of collaboration, inventiveness, and trust in their careers. -- Laura Jayes, journalist and Sky News anchor
A worthy reflection, particularly in light of the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic that has tested leaders globally. -- Stephen Drill, Europe Correspondent, Daily Telegraph
A very insightful and engaging read - I would highly recommend it to anyone with their own business or looking to start one. -- Roger Sanchez, Grammy Award-Winning DJ and Producer
As businesses face unprecedented uncertainty, leaders must work hard to build greater collaboration, inventiveness, and trust. Too Proud to Lead explains why, and in doing so, teaches leaders how to demonstrate empathy, vulnerability, and authenticity. -- Phil Benton, General Manager, Adidas
With great power comes great responsibility. Too Proud to Lead is a powerful wake-up call for leaders and a reminder about how they can tap into their best selves to elevate everyone around them. -- Dorie Clark, Professor, Columbia Business School
Too Proud to Lead is an indispensable guidebook for leaders who strive to unleash their organizations intensely human, creative power. -- Michael Chavez, CEO, Duke Corporate Education
Too Proud to Lead is a fantastic read that identifies hubristic leadership in action. It's essential to colleagues who struggle to find alignment with leaders and is a powerful reminder that as we become more successful, we need to be even more conscious about how our values and ethics inform our choices. -- Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Associate Professor, HEC Paris and co-author of 'Futureproof Your Career'
Too Proud to Lead is highly insightful, extraordinarily interesting, and thoroughly enlightening -- Simon Shaw MBE, 2003 Rugby World Cup Winner
Punctuated with research on why hubris happens at the top of organisations and practical solutions to help thse with the power to do so to try to stop it happening. -- Financial Times

Author Bio

Professor Ben Laker is a renowned scholar and educator tenured to Henley Business School who influences governments and corporations policies and practices globally. He writes for Forbes and the Washington Post and publishes research in leading academic and managerial outlets, including the Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review. Follow him @DrBenLaker. David Cobb is a serial entrepreneur who serves the Oceanova group of companies including The National Centre for Leadership and Management and National College of Education as CEO. He collaborates with influential thinkers and is regarded by Forbes as a leading expert on disruptive innovation. Follow him @David_C_Cobb. Rita Trehan is a Fortune 200 Chief Human Resources Officer turned global HR and transformation consultant who advises executives worldwide to create, transform and build sustainable businesses. She writes for the Independent and is the author of Unleashing Capacity: The Hidden Human Resources. Follow her @Rita_Trehan.