ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we reflected on leadership in the context of problems and failures. We noted the requirement of leaders to maintain a sense of personal ethics and integrity without succumbing to temptations of power, We considered ‘good, bad and ugly’ leaders, noting the key issue of ‘ethical fading’ that can occur when leaders explain away poor behaviour by deceiving themselves. We discussed institutions in trouble in the context of ‘organisational anorexia’ and ‘the cesspool syndrome’ (Bedeian and Armenakis, 1998), and then looked at things that block achievement in PCE, citing extracts from interviews with leaders on this question. We then provided ‘Top tips to avoid being a terrible leader’ and finally rounded up the chapter with a recommendation that leaders in trouble should seek help, as significant support may be available to them if they have the conscientiousness and courage to ask.
