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The Seven Habits of Spectacularly Unsuccessful Executives

Sydney Finkelstein, the Steven Roth Professor of Management at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College on Seven Habits of Spectacularly Unsuccessful Executives.

Habit #1: They see themselves and their companies as dominating their environment.

Habit #2: They identify so completely with the company that there is no clear boundary between their personal interests and their corporation’s interests

Habit #3: They think they have all the answers

Habit #4: They ruthlessly eliminate anyone who isn’t completely behind them

Habit #5: They are consummate spokespersons, obsessed with the company image

Habit #6: They underestimate obstacles

Habit #7: They stubbornly rely on what worked for them in the past

I believe these habits can be found in many executives. But they should be a warning to anyone in any leadership capacity - whether in a small local shop or sitting on a church board. More detail on each can be found Forbes.

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