The Elephant in the Boardroom

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

   PDF

2. Part I

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

      PDF

   2. Researching Derailed, Incompetent and Failed Leaders

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 3-33

   3. Early Research and Speculations

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 34-76

   4. Personality Styles, Traits and Disorders

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 77-93

3. Part II

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 95-95

      PDF

   2. The Successful Psychopath

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 97-110

   3. Narcissism at Work

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 111-139

   4. The Machiavellian Leader

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 140-151

4. Part III

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 153-153

      PDF

   2. Sector-Specific Disorders

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 155-176

   3. Six More Oddballs

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 177-196

5. Part IV

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 197-197

      PDF

   2. The Cognitively Challenged Leader

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 199-233

   3. Preventing and Managing Derailment

      • Adrian Furnham

      Pages 234-261

6. Back Matter

   Pages 262-283

   PDF

This book from the acclaimed management writer Adrian Furnham, explores the dark side of leadership and how and why leaders can have a negative impact upon their companies and organisations. It asks why too often people do not speak out but instead ignore the problems they are causing.

• management
• Organisation
• organization
• Personal

'Although leadership is the most important topic in the organizational sciences, there is no consensus in the professional literature regarding the characteristics of effective leaders. There is, however, surprising consensus regarding the characteristics of incompetent leaders, whose actions ruin companies and even countries. In this useful and engaging book, Professor Adrian Furnham summarizes what we know about this vitally important problem.' - Robert Hogan, PhD, President, Hogan Assessment Systems

'This is an enlightening book, which lifts the lid on some of the secrets of the causes of managerial failure. The elephant is there in the corner and Professor Furnham has shone a light so that the beast can be seen clearly. This is a service that was sorely needed and this very readable book will prove invaluable in understanding (and perhaps avoiding) leadership failure.' - Business Executive

ADRIAN FURNHAM is Professor of Psychology at University College, London, UK and Adjunct Professor at the Norwegian School of Management. He is on the editorial board of a number of journals, has received many awards, and elected past President of the International Society for the Study of Individual Differences. He is the author of over 800 journal articles and more than 55-odd books, including successful, popular management books. He acts as a consultant and trainer to a number of bodies including HM Government, and also a number of multinational corporations. He as been a columnist in The Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Times and is a frequent contributor to BBC radio and television.

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