In addition to looking at the qualities of effective leadership, we also address the darker or shadow sides of leadership. Our research explores why leaders derail, interpersonal issues and unhealthy dynamics between leaders and followers as well as key traps leaders fall into.
Coaching narcissists to move beyond a world in black and white
In this last blog in our KDVI Blog Series on Narcissism, we explore how organisations can manage the downsides of employing narcissistic executives. In particular, we turn our attention to coaching as a means for getting the best out of narcissistic executives.
KDVI Research Lab, Jun 2018
Blogs
Nearly half of adults in the US have reported experiencing a psychiatric disorder at some point in their lives
Basic understanding and empathy can go a long way in helping toxic leaders recover their best selves.
INSEAD Knowledge, Apr 2018
Blogs
Videos
“The most complete revenge is not to imitate the aggressor.”
Identifying with an aggressor is a basic strategy for human survival. It’s time to call it out in the workplace.
INSEAD Knowledge, Sep 2017
Blogs
"Advice for dealing with narcissists"
Managing a narcissistic leader is not easy. Why would they ask for help, when they think that they are better than anybody else? How can they learn from mistakes if they can’t admit that they’ve ever made one? This article provides some advise for managers who have to deal with such leaders.
HBR, May 2017
Blogs
"Donald Trump’s new American brand is a cautionary tale for all leaders."
INSEAD Knowledge, Apr 2017
Blogs
"Malignant narcissist as ticking time bombs"
Malignant narcissists not only believe they are always right, they vindictively go out on a limb to prove it.
INSEAD Knowledge, Mar 2017
Blogs
We know where we are with a fairy story. There is a cast of predictable characters, the hero or heroine is submitted to terrible trials, cruelty, and injustice but in the end the baddies get their comeuppance, good triumphs, and everyone lives happily ever after. In this book Manfred Kets de Vries, one of the world's leading authorities on the psychology of leadership, and a pioneering practitioner in the field of psychodynamic executive coaching, draws on the format of traditional fairy tales and tells us five stories that dramatize five key themes of dysfunctional leadership. Now available in Korean 리더는어떻게평면표지, Doublebook, Seoul, Republic of Korea, March 2017.
Doublebook, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Mar 2017
Books
"Leadership lessons from a tumultuous time"
INSEAD Knowledge, Dec 2016
Blogs
"Ways to Manage Difficult Bosses"
This article explores the options available to anyone who has to manage a bad boss. Much of it will feel like common sense. But people often forget that it’s in their power to improve bad situations, so having the options systematically laid out can be very helpful.
HBR, Dec 2016
Blogs
"The tragedy of the commons"
INSEAD Knowledge, Oct 2016
Blogs
"A large chair doesn’t make a king"
Africa is a cautionary example of the need for checks and balances against the abuse of power.
INSEAD Knowledge, Oct 2016
Blogs
"Harems and fawning power plays"
INSEAD Knowledge, May 2016
Blogs
"When drive and commitment are too much"
INSEAD Knowledge, Mar 2016
Blogs
"Denialism, office politics, productivity"
This blog entry with the Harvard Business Review explores how denialists can have a devastating effect on office politics and productivity.
INSEAD Knowledge, Aug 2015
Blogs
"The uses of humour in the workplace"
This blog looks at the sources of humor and to distunguish between humour that is congenial and empathetic and humour that is dysfunctional and divisive.
INSEAD Knowledge, Jun 2015
Blogs
"Fairy tales for today’s executives"
This blog looks at the leadership journey as a fairy tale and cautions against the five deadly dangers of leadership.
INSEAD Knowledge, May 2015
Blogs
"The pathology of CEO psychopaths"
The percentage of psychopaths amongst CEOs is as high as the risk they represent for the company they are working for. INSEAD Distinguished Professor of Leadership Development and Organisational Change Manfred Kets de Vries’ research talks to Heiner Thorborg of Der Spiegel on the topic. – In German
Der Speigel, Apr 2015
Interviews
"Learning to manage in the gray zone"
INSEAD Knowledge, Apr 2015
Blogs
"Managing those who won't see the middle ground"
This blog entry for the Harvard Business Review explores how one can manage leaders who see things in black and white, unable to accept a middle ground.
Harvard Business Review, Mar 2015
Blogs
"Fairy tales for today’s executives"
This working paper looks at how fairy tales—when applied to the realm of executive leadership—act as a shortcut to moral lessons, illustrating the dangers of leadership and various ways in which executives can derail.
INSEAD Working Paper, Mar 2015
Working Papers
"Turning high potentials to star performers"
This blog discusses the qualities that turn high potentials into top performers.
INSEAD Knowledge, Dec 2014
Blogs
"SOB effect on org life"
This article describes the SOB—Seductive Operational Bully—or psychopath “lite”, in organisational settings, who can wreak havoc on organisational life.
Organizational Dynamics, Oct 2014
Articles
"Unhealthy dependencies prevent leaders from reaching their full potential"
In this article for Human Capital Review, Kets de Vries explores the Rescuer Syndrome—where the need to help becomes a self-serving addiction and—which creates an unhealthy state of dependency and prevents leaders from reaching their full potential.
Human Capital Review, Jun 2014
Articles
"The inner compass of leaders"
This blog entry addresses what can be done when the inner compass of a leader stops pointing to the pure North.
Simon Sijbrands, Apr 2014
Blogs
