The Brain that Leads Your Organization

It seems that no matter which improvement scheme or methodology you want to implement, the proponents vow that it will succeed only if you have top management support. There's a lot of emphasis on the person at the top then. If that person is in good shape--emotionally intelligent, wise, productive, overall being healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually--then you'll be led well.

It is reported that 7 percent of adults have had at least one major depressive episode in the last year. 18 percent have had an anxiety disorder. One management expert says 80 percent of top business leaders have had clinical episodes related to burnout, loss of energy, concentration issues, difficulty getting motivated, sleeplessness, anxiety, addiction, etc.

That means 80 percent of our organizations are in trouble if we're dependent on the top person.

Let's say that the organization is only hurt if two top people are suffering at the same time. Then only 64% of our organizations are in trouble. Still scary.

We have a lot of dysfunction in companies but not so much that most of them are collapsing from debilitating lack of sound leadership. It seems our companies are a little more robust than would appear from the recommendations of methodology proponents.

However, if you have a chance to speak to the needs of top leadership, encourage them to get connected to a solid peer advisory group. Most of the problems above are because top leaders don't have a person or group they can share their doubts, weaknesses, failures, vulnerabilities with. Nor do they have a person or group that's totally committed to their development as a leader. When it's a 'dog eat dog' world out there, it's a rare leader who's willing to lay down and bare their soft underbelly to another dog in order to get some support.