Fear Your Strengths

The Hero Syndrome

Although the one-dimensional, over-the-top intensity of lopsidedness is the result of a flawed mindset and overcompensating behavior, it is often seen by others as heroic leadership. Whatever these leaders think of themselves, others invest them with nearly superhuman qualities. Indeed, people such as Rick Spire, Carla Middleton, Steve Jobs, and Jeff Skilling are often blessed with heroic qualities—raw talent, vast energy, and burning ambition—but it is a mixed blessing. Their risk/reward ratio is dangerously high. They overleverage themselves: everything revolves around them and all roads lead to them. Up to a point, that works because they bring so much to the table. Beyond that point, however, they become like Icarus, whose ...