Leaders, Fools and Impostors: Essays on the Psychology of Leadership

by Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries

In this book of insightful essays, Kets de Vries explodes the myth that rationality is what governs the behavior of leaders and followers, and he provides a more realistic perspective on organizational functioning and the leader-follower relationship. The author shows that a great potential for distortion exists when leaders try to act out the fantasies of their followers, and explores the many psychological traps into which leaders frequently fall. Citing examples from business, history, literature, the arts, and from his own psychoanalytic and management-consulting practise, the author identifies distinct leader types. He describes, for instance, the narcissist whose drive for power and prestige can bring much-needed vitality to an organization, but whose inability to accept criticism ultimately creates a climate of subservience. He shows that entrepreneurs possess many of the qualities of the impostor, including a capacity for self-dramatization and a deep understanding of how to profit by others' wishes and desires, and he explains why entrepreneurs sometimes distort the truth about themselves and their organizations. Through numerous case studies of successful and failed leaders, Leaders, Fools, and Impostors furthers a better understanding of the leader-follower dynamic, and gives leaders the means to transform themselves.

Genres: Psychology, Leadership, Business, Nonfiction, Management

162 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Manfred F.R. Kets de Vries is a Dutch psychologist, Professor of leadership development and organizational change at INSEAD, and consultant

Reviews

[Nilguen · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are obsessed with principles of leadership or cracking the code of leadership exploring cultures and personalities in work environments...there is neither a standard grid to leadership nor a ‚one-size-fits-all’ approach to become a leader.

M. Kets de Vries provides important insights into the motives, hidden agenda, minority complexes and ‚inner theatres‘ à la Freud of some leaders who cope or can’t cope with challenges, even with seemingly natural ones such as ageing.

Eye-opening read to gain a better understanding of the complex dimensions of various leadership styles.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a bit repetitive if you've read his other work, and the essays don't hang together very well as a volume. Nevertheless, it's interesting to read about how the psychology of leadership applies to tyrants such as Hitler and Saddam, and the chapter on impostors also got my attention. Kets de Vries writes in a very accessible way for any audience.

[K Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manfred is also a psychologist. That makes the different chapters of his book interesting.

[Jalaluddin Abdullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book of insightful essays, Kets de Vries explodes the myth that rationality is what governs the behavior of leaders and followers, and he provides a more realistic perspective on organizational functioning and the leader-follower relationship. The author shows that a great potential for distortion exists when leaders try to act out the fantasies of their followers and explores the many psychological traps into which leaders frequently fall. Citing examples from business, history, literature, the arts, and from his own psychoanalytic and management-consulting practice, the author identifies distinct leader types. He describes, for instance, the narcissist whose drive for power and prestige can bring much-needed vitality to an organization, but whose inability to accept criticism ultimately creates a climate of subservience. He shows that entrepreneurs possess many of the qualities of the impostor, including a capacity for self-dramatization and a deep understanding of how to profit from others' wishes and desires, and he explains why entrepreneurs sometimes distort the truth about themselves and their organizations. Through numerous case studies of successful and failed leaders, Leaders, Fools, and Impostors furthers a better understanding of the leader-follower dynamic, and gives leaders the means to transform themselves.

[Нестор · Rating 5 out of 5]

Свежий и оригинальный взгляд на природу лидера и лидерства с точки зрения психотерапевта. Написано интересно, и, несмотря на не очень удачный перевод, книга достойна внимания.

Особо заинтересовали главы о лидерах, покидающих свой пост и о шутах. Резануло восприятие сравнение Саддама Хуссейна и Роберта Максвелла. Как по мне, это - деятели несколько разного масштаба и психотипа.

В общем, рекомендую, если найдёте, ибо книга - довольно редкая.