Why Some Good Leaders Go Bad

So much of bad leadership has to do with "the dark side of leadership."  Based on what I have read, the dark side emerges when the ego is out of balance.  Carl Jung referred to these dark behaviors as "the shadow side of the personality."

When leaders demonstrate narcissistic, paranoid, codependent, and passive-aggressive behaviors then the dark side is taking over.  When leaders are too competitive, don't listen, act from greed, jealous, and manipulative, then the shadow is casting darkness on the organization and followers are being negatively influenced. 

Barbara Kellerman in her book, Bad Leadership, advocates that the good and the bad needs to be addressed when developing leaders.  When we are aware that even our strengths to an excess can turn into weaknesses then we can keep the ego in check. 

As leaders, we should provide light and enlightenment in organizations and not cast shadows.  Pay attention to your ego so that you are not a good leader who has gone bad.