The Taboos of Leadership

“The Taboos of Leadership” tries to avoid simplistic thinking. Running counter to the idealism of some publications on the exemplary leader, the author covers behaviors that are often purposely ignored, and yet that are an integral part of company life. Uncooperative behaviors, political maneuvering, favoritism toward family members, etc., the taboos of this function are unflinchingly brought out into the open. Without going to the extreme, it cites many examples of leaders to show how such-and-such a behavior poses problems in a given situation, but may be justified in another. It thus initiates subtle thinking about the paradoxes of the role of the leader. Chapter 5, in particular, invites readers to consider the issue of the gap between the exemplary image projected by company leaders and how they really act. People are free to do what they like. However, leaders, due to their highly visible position, have a major impact on the organization. The rest boils down to personal choice and assuming the consequences for those choices. An easy, mature book that incites managers to use common sense in taking responsibility.