Research

Blogs

Who are the Stars? (2014)

Manfred Kets de Vries

"Turning high potentials to star performers"

Organisational high flyers display many contradictory behaviour patterns, and it’s this paradoxical nature which makes them so successful. Spotting nascent stars can be a challenge, not least because we can’t always be sure what we’re looking for. Some may first impress us as ‘‘golden larvae’’, but never complete metamorphosis, while others grow into true butterflies. This blog discusses the qualities that turn high potentials into top performers.

INSEAD Knowledge, 2014

Read more

Add Comment

Go back

Related content

"Peer coaching and strategy alignment"

Sometimes Colleagues Are the Best Coaches

This blog entry with the Harvard Business Review discusses how peer coaching interventions can make a huge difference to the implementation of a strategy or change initiative of an organisation.

Published on 1 May, 2014

"The tragedy of the commons"

The EU Cannot Be at the Mercy of the Few

A small group of farmers blocking an important trade agreement highlights the EU’s vulnerability to the “tragedy of the commons”.

Published on 26 Oct, 2016

"Learning to manage in the gray zone"

The Importance of Seeing the World in Shades of Grey

This blog argues that executives who see the world in stark contrasts miss the nuances of situations and are less able to compromise to meet common interests.

Published on 7 Apr, 2015

"Managing the passive- aggressive leader"

Helping the Passive-Aggressive Executive

This blog entry with the Harvard Business Review discusses challenge of managing passive-aggressives.

Published on 20 Feb, 2014

"High-flyers and the fear of success"

Are You Too Afraid to Succeed?

This blog entry with the Harvard Business Review address the fear of success and its consequences.

Published on 4 Mar, 2014

"When drive and commitment are too much"

Are You an Alpha Male Leader?

This blog looks at the place for alpha-like behaviour in organisations. It argues that the need the drive, competitiveness and commitment of such leaders should be balanced with models of leadership that connect, build and nurture.

Published on 21 Mar, 2016

"Fairy tales for today’s executives"

Leadership Lessons from the Brothers Grimm

This blog looks at the leadership journey as a fairy tale and cautions against the five deadly dangers of leadership.

Published on 18 May, 2015

"Donald Trump’s new American brand is a cautionary tale for all leaders."

Lessons Learned from the Return of the Ugly American

A leader’s image can become almost inseparable from the organisation he or she leads. Consumers’ perception of companies is often influenced by corporate leaders’ actions and what they communicate. Donald Trump is epitomising the “Ugly American”.

Published on 12 Apr, 2017

"Denialism, office politics, productivity"

Blinded by Belief

This blog entry with the Harvard Business Review explores how denialists can have a devastating effect on office politics and productivity.

Published on 6 Aug, 2015

"Malignant narcissist as ticking time bombs"

Malignant Manipulators: Ticking Time Bombs

Malignant narcissists not only believe they are always right, they vindictively go out on a limb to prove it.

Published on 2 Mar, 2017