ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the early warning signs of hubris and how organisations might identify, assess, and respond to them on the basis that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The use of computational linguistics as a ‘canary in the coalmine’ of hubristic leadership is explored. The ideas of ‘passports’ and ‘MOTs’ for leaders are examined. The idea of a ‘hubrisometer’ is mooted. The novel idea of a Hubris Health Check (HHC) is introduced and its potential use as a preventative tool is discussed in managing the hubris hazard. A list of indicators (‘warning signs to look out for’) for each of the hubris risk factors (intoxication of power; unbridled intuition; irrational exuberance; self-deception; narcissistic tendencies; excess; conducive context; complicit followers; and lack of checks and balances) is provided. The idea of humility as a ‘silver bullet’ for hubris is explored.
