The Art of Forgiveness: Differentiating Transformational Leaders

This working paper explores the subject of forgiveness and its importance in the context of leadership.

Published on 18 Apr, 2013

Vladimir Putin, CEO of Russia Inc. The Legacy and the Future

This article compares Russian President Vladimir Putin to effective business executives, studying his performance through the same lenses used to assess CEOs of large corporations, and reviewing the degree to which his various constituencies are satisfied with his performance.

Published on 1 Jul, 2008

Let’s Install Leaders for Life! Why Get Hung up on Democracy? A Modest, “Swiftian” Proposal

Following Jonathan Swift’s satirical example of a “modest” proposal, this paradoxical article examines the question of having leaders for life. Throughout, it employs the tools of satire to outline the presumed advantages of a leaders-for-life system, revealing that, in reality, it is fraught with danger. In a circuitous way, the article makes clear that having leaders for life is an invitation for social unrest and economic decline. By presenting a number of examples of leaders for life, it becomes clear that the overriding concern is the ever-present danger of the abuse of power. Without the existence of term limits, there will be an increased prevalence of rights abuses, secret or arbitrary arrests and detentions, restrictions on freedom of expression, and police brutality. Furthermore, it is suggested that kleptocratic practices are par for the course.

Published on 31 Jul, 2020

Reaching Stardom: How to Identify and Develop Top Performers

This working paper addresses nascent stars: What makes those that turn into butterflies so special? What makes them so successful? What are the qualities that turn them into top performers?

Published on 5 Jul, 2010

Entering the Inner Theatre of a Despot: The Rise and Fall of Saddam Hussein

This working paper investigates leadership by terror, a form of leadership that is both an ageless phenomenon and a contemporary problem.

Published on 1 Apr, 2003

Are You a Victim of the Victim Syndrome?

This working paper explores the victim syndrome within an organisational context, and provides a checklist to identify people who are victims of it.

Published on 24 Jul, 2012

The Attachment Imperative: The Kiss of the Hedgehog

This working paper explores the evolution and function of attachment in the context of adult relationships.

Published on 18 Apr, 2013

Leadership Coaching and the Rescuer Syndrome: How to Manage both Sides of the Couch

In this article the author explores the problem of excessive helping behavior—The Rescuer Syndrome—with particular reference to executive coaching.

Published on 9 Dec, 2010

Old Ages is No Place for Sissies

This working paper deals with a rather taboo subject: the consequences of prolonging life into extreme old age, now possible with advances in medical procedures.

Published on 25 Apr, 2015

The Psychopath in the C-suite

This working paper explores ways of identifying and dealing with SOBs—Seductive Operational Bully—from an organisational and individual perspective, and recommends a clinical orientation to organisational diagnosis and intervention.

Published on 1 Jul, 2012