In the recent Lunch with the FT discussion; Manfred Kets de Vries’s fascinating observation rings true from my 25 years of experience advising CEOs; on matters of corporate strategy and personal effectiveness. “As soon as you become a leader, you are surrounded by liars. People tell you what you want to hear; And people who don’t tell you what you want to hear, you fire”.
Outside, objective input even if rejected, is critical for leaders to be successful, and the art of challenge with empathy is something that is a skill that is sharpened with years of experience; and requires tailored solutions and deep organisational context; it can not be delivered through templates and off-the-shelf industry solutions.
Marakon prides itself on delivering advice to senior executives that is grounded in objective reality; it is important for CEOs at least on occasion, not to hear what they want to hear; finding a way to break out of what Manfred Kets de Vries describes as the “echo chamber” makes for a better leader; and often better outcomes.
