Comments on: Leaders Deal

By: Miki Saxon

Miki Saxon — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:37:29 +0000

Hi Oxana, You’re right, but ostrich behavior (head in sand) is a common trait in many non-business situations, too—think parenting. And I think the damage to reputation is the least of it in comparison to the material damage done.

I’m glad you enjoyed the post and I plan to take advantage of the leadership link shortly. Thanks!

By: Oxana Trush

Oxana Trush — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:49:17 +0000

Unfortunately, ignoring the problem and denying the severity of the problem are two most common counterproductive behaviors that can permanently damage the reputation of any company/institution/individual . It’s enough to remember what happened to Arthur Andersen and Salomon Brothers. Thanks Miki for your post. If you have time check our firm’s blog http://logosinstitute.net/blog/category/leadership/ We write a lot about leadership and reputation. I hope you can find something interesting to read too.

By: Miki Saxon

Miki Saxon — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:05:29 +0000

Hi Lela, thank you for taking time to add to the conversation. Although we certainly need a line drawn, the difficulty is deciding who is going to draw it, since the location of the line depends on what is known—and that, in turn, depends on what a person chooses to know.

By: Lela

Lela — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:42:41 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more. It is ridiculous how we don’t just draw a hard line on some of these things are nip them in the bud.

By: Miki Saxon

Miki Saxon — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:29:07 +0000

Jeff and Aleksandar, I agree with you both, but the point is that people need to stop looking for a leader and be one, at least for themselves.

If people would adopt adopt so-called leadership skills and each apply them just to their own life many things would turn around or just not happen.

The change might also have more people willing to say out loud that the emperor has no clothes.

By: Aleksandar M. Velkoski

Aleksandar M. Velkoski — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:35:30 +0000

I agree. It seems as though it is human nature to deal only with topics that make us feel good (or, at least, on the flip side, to deal LESS with topics that don’t make us feel good). But, leaders will not overlook the scary issues. They will attack them head on. And, I think that point needs to be hit home.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 20:50:58 +0000

Countless research and anecdotal evidence has shown that people will follow an authority figure even though their actions make them feel uncomfortable. In the case of Madoff he was perceived as an authority and people were afraid to rock the boat. A leader has to first buck that illegitimate authority, and than convince others to do so as well.