ABSTRACT
Everybody knows it is important for leaders to show confidence and competence. But good leadership requires more than that. Unfortunately, corporate all-stars do not automatically rise to the top as gracious, self-sacrificing individuals willing to put ego aside in order to advance the interests of their organization as a whole. In fact, success often raises expectations for more success. And when this happens, dread of failure increases with the stakes of the game, making it harder for people to show vulnerability. This is why talented people frequently do whatever they can to hide mistakes and shortcomings. Unfortunately, educational systems often foster success at the expense of failure. Students applying to top colleges and universities clamor to make the cut, packing resumes with as much achievement as possible. That self-understanding, and the readiness to seek help from those with compensating strengths, is just the kind of learning we are hoping to achieve.
