ABSTRACT
The risk factor in this chapter is excess. The chapter begins with a discussion of the Ancient Greek maxim of ‘nothing to excess’ and then explores the concept of hyper core self-evaluation (inflated self-worth, self-efficacy, and locus of control) and how this can bring about decision-making that steps over the line between too much and too little of a leader behaviour such as confidence or ambition, and whether or not this is always a bad thing. Elon Musk’s leadership illustrates a number of these ideas. The concepts of core self-evaluation (CSE) and hyper core self-evaluation (hCSE) and the idea of having ‘too-much-of-a-good-thing’ (TMGT) are discussed. The relationship between leadership excess and performance is discussed and the novel idea of hubris having a bright side is introduced and critically examined. The concept of practical wisdom is explored. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how exposure to excesses can be avoided through practical wisdom and what the early warning signs of leader excesses are.
