Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders?: (And How to Fix It)

Incompetent leadership is everywhere, especially among men, and this book explores why it is so easy for incompetent men to become leaders and why competent women struggle to advance. The author argues that organizations equate leadership potential with destructive personality traits like overconfidence and narcissism, which can backfire once someone has the job. This results in a flawed system that rewards arrogance rather than humility and loudness rather than wisdom. The book offers a better way to lead by showing how new systems and processes can help put the right people in charge.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 12 March 2019
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press

In today's modern workplace, it is undeniable that incompetent leadership is prevalent, and a significant portion of these leaders are male. In his thought-provoking book, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic delves into two crucial questions: why are incompetent men often able to ascend to leadership positions, and why is it challenging for competent individuals, particularly competent women, to advance in their careers? Through extensive research spanning decades, Chamorro-Premuzic highlights the fact that although men constitute the majority of leaders, they tend to underperform when compared to their female counterparts. Moreover, many organizations mistakenly associate leadership potential with negative personality traits such as overconfidence and narcissism, which may initially aid in a person's selection for a leadership role but ultimately hinder their success once in the position.

When competent women, who do not conform to traditional stereotypes, are unjustly overlooked, the consequences are far-reaching. This results in a flawed system that rewards arrogance rather than humility and loudness rather than wisdom. It is essential to recognize that there is a better way forward. Chamorro-Premuzic offers a clear and compelling vision of what it truly takes to lead, and he proposes innovative systems and processes that can help ensure the right individuals are placed in positions of authority. By addressing these issues, we can strive towards creating a more equitable and effective leadership landscape that benefits everyone.

Weight: 358g
Dimension: 148 x 216 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781633696327