A634.3.4.RB – The Harder They Fall
In his
extensive research with regard to the rise and fall of executives, leaders,
entrepreneurs and those individuals we have come to admire as well as loath,
Mr. Kramer seems to have hit the nail on the head when he talks about how some
have fallen from grace. He repeatedly talks about those who thought fame and
fortune would enhance their ability to lead, but that they did not realize how
unreliable their self-perceptions were. In most cases the individuals come from
behind to lead organizations and without realizing it, end up biting the hand
that feeds them…the ordinary people they intended to help. The glimmer and
glitz of their rank has been their demise and when they realize they have
plummeted they are surprised that they were so easily dissuaded in their
beliefs.
On the other hand, there are
few situations where leadership does not apply, or directly affect the ability
to either be very effective or screw up marvelously. In marriage and family,
compared to Kramer’s description of the leadership issues, it is easy to
succumb to destructive behaviors such as desiring more than what is necessary,
not believing rules apply to you, and pay the price for those mistakes (2003).
I have seen this multiple times in recent years, where a parent makes decisions
based on personal gain rather than the support of their family, all driven by
drug use.
The
pursuit of getting high has the ability to supersede all responsibilities,
which is similar to the aggressive nature of pursuing a CEO position. In many
respects, power has addictive qualities, which typically leads to gaining more
power and abuse of that power (Weidner, 2009). Drug addiction comes with a
hefty price tag, especially when in conflict with family needs. At some point
in time, the enticement of power or an addiction to illicit drugs creates a
complicated lifestyle; one that cannot be supported by someone operating with
drugs in their system for certain. In the case of drug use, the only path to
success is to simplify lifestyle and admit to the issues at hand but not for
the purpose of continuing drug use so much as to continue living a normal life
as an addict.
Parallels
exist between how Kramer describes the effects of power on a leader and the
effects of drugs on an addict. I have seen drug use destroy mothers and
families. The impacts are widespread and deeply felt.
References
Kramer, R. M. (2003). The harder they fall. (cover story).
Harvard Business Review, 81(10),
58-66. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=10986098&site=ehost-live
Weidner, C. K. (2009). When power has leaders: some
indicators of power-addiction among organizational leaders. Journal of
Organizational Culture, Communication and Conflict, 13(1), 83-99. Retrieved
from
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