ABSTRACT
This chapter scrutinizes the role of organizational leadership in exacerbating employee cognitive overload. The chapter scrutinizes the “cottage industry” of leadership, suggesting a saturation of folk leadership advice with little practical relevance, likening it to the abundance of weight-loss advice. Leadership involves inspirational motivation that fosters action and exceeds goals, influenced by not hierarchy and formal titles but voluntary follower commitment. The chapter argues that today’s organizational leaders often fail to acknowledge the cognitive load their actions impose on employees, instead offering aspirational myths that might inspire some but also might distort reality, contributing to employee cognitive overload. Effective leadership, as suggested, should blend leadership ambition, economic success, and empathy for employees, focusing on human sustainability at work.
