It’s the Relationships, Stupid

Look upon the work and despair

Fragment of the Great Colossi at the Memnonium Thebes by David Roberts, 1835 (public domain)

“The chief proof of man’s real greatness lies in his perception of his own smallness.” — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Not everyone is destined to be a leader.

Shakespeare reminded us of how some — not all — are born or become leaders, while others are thrust into the situation.

But that “some” would imply that there are more followers than leaders. As is the natural order of things. If everyone were to try to lead, we’d end up in a world of chaos.

We need leaders.

But consider a world in which leaders overestimate their own abilities. Where “I alone can fix it” is the clarion call of narcissistic delusion, coupled with a lack of self-awareness, a penchant for invalidating ideas that aren’t theirs, and toxic micromanagement.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: