There is a dangerous assumption out there that ‘leaders’ are chuck full of positive traits and on the side of the angels, but I’m here to tell you that it ain’t necessarily so. Just as leaders come in all shapes, colors and sizes they come with a wide variety of traits, not all of them positive. But it seems as if succession is tough all over.
Italian police have caught the Sicilian Mafia’s number two, the latest in a string of top-level arrests that has given the crime group that once terrified Italy problems with rebuilding its leadership.
The hero …read more

Grab a cup of coffee (or a beer it the sun is over the yardarm) because I have 4 superb items for you today.
First up is McKinsey’s Economic Survey one year after the official meltdown. You may have to register (it’s free), but it’s worth it.
Next is a must read article from Paul Krugman, a New York Times columnist and professor of Economics and International Affairs at Princeton University in which he explains, as Bruce Nussbaum says, “how economists, especially the math-based, market-manic Chicago-school economists, have hurt the US and much of the rest of the world.” The title is …read more

Leadership, oh leadership. Wherefore art thou, oh leadership?What does this list have in common?
Leadership. Each person on this list has been held up as an example of leadership; lauded by the gurus of leadership for their vision, skill at articulating it and ability to attract followers.

Alan Fishman, Washington Mutual
Angelo Mozilo, Countrywide
Bruce Karatz, KB Homes
Chuck Prince Citigroup
Douglas Ivester, Coca-Cola
Frank Newman, Bankers Trust
Franklin Raines Fannie Mae
Gregory Parseghian, Freddie Mac
Hank McKinnell, Pfizer
James Cayne, Bear Stearns
John Mack, Morgan Stanley
Ken Thompson, Wachovia
Kerry Killiger, Washington Mututal
Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman
Michael Ovitz, Disney
Philip Purcell, Morgan Stanley
Richard Fuld, Lehman
Richard Grasso, New York Stock Exchange
Robert Nardelli, Home Depot
Stanley O’Neal, …read more