[rating:3]
(Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009)
217 pgs.
Tim Irwin provides a fascinating study of well known, talented CEOs of major companies whose roles came to an abrupt end due to character issues. Irwin examines the spectacular rise and fall of Robert Nardelli, Carly Fiorina, Durk Jager, Steven Heyer, Frank Raines and Dick Fuld. He notes, “these executives are bright, highly competent, resilient leaders. The boards that hired them had every reason to believe these gifted individuals would provide outstanding leadership to their respective organizations” (xv). However, in each case, the CEO’s tenure was aborted not because they lacked leadership ability, creativity, or problem solving ability. Rather, all of them neglected dangerous character flaws and doing so cost them their jobs.
Irwin suggests: “The keenest insights into human behavior may emanate from our willingness to look not at what is light but what is dark . . . . not from what is seen but what is unseen. Paradoxically, looking into darkness can be remarkably enlightening” (13). By looking at how others have failed, Irwin aims to inspire leaders to embrace healthy practices in order to prevent similar catastrophes.
Irwin examines various reasons for the ruination of high performers. Some overuse their strengths until they become weaknesses. Many lack self awareness and do not recognize their emotional needs or weaknesses. Some leaders thrive in high stress environments but those environments blind their victims to the negative effects they exert on people’s lives.
After examining the downfall of six high profile CEOs, Irwin examines the process of derailment. He claims “Derailment occurs over time—it really happens before the crash. An ignored signal . . . the inattention to feedback, and one wrong turn leads to another” (88). The five stage process of derailment includes: 1) A failure of self/other awareness; 2) Hubris: pride before the fall; 3) Missed early warning signals; 4) Rationalizing; 5) Derailment. Irwin then looks at how leaders stay “on the tracks.” The primary method is giving attention to character. No matter how busy leaders are or how much stress they undergo, their character cannot be neglected. Irwin concludes by outlining various healthy habits that, if practiced, can keep executives on the tracks and achieving their goals.
This book has some parallels to another book published in the same year by Jim Collins, entitled How the Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In. While Irwin examines individual leaders and their lack of self awareness, Collins studies companies which experienced remarkable success before experiencing rapid decline. Both recognize “hubris” as a key reason for the downfall. Collins’ book outlines a five-stage model as well: 1) Hubris born of success; 2) Undisciplined pursuit of more; 3) Denial of risk and peril; 4) Grasping for salvation; 5) Capitulation to irrelevance or death. Collins’ book is especially interesting in light of his previous works including the mammoth best seller, Good to Great in 2001 and Built to Last which he co-authored in 1994. In these books he examined the best companies in America and explained why they were so successful. After each book was published, many of the companies he highlighted underwent drastic downfalls. Books such as The Halo Effect by Phil Rosenzweig criticized Collins and similar authors for using flawed research in examining companies. Rosenzweig argued that such authors found companies demonstrating aggressive growth and then extrapolated that their leadership and corporate culture explained their success. Soon everyone was trying to emulate the practices of these leading companies. But, when these companies began to falter, people began frantically copying the next popularly successful company being heralded in business books and magazines. Collins’ book, How the Mighty Fall appears to be a response to this criticism, although he never mentions Rosenzweig by name.
Although these are secular business books, there is much that Christian leaders can learn much from them. Irwin is a strong Christian; his examination of CEOs who derailed is as applicable to the church as it is to business. The reality is that any leader who ignores warning signs that point to character issues risks dismal failure. Sometimes red flags can be extremely clear to everyone else but the leader. Another lesson is worth learning: organizations that are thriving today can be in desperate need of help tomorrow. Leaders must therefore remain constantly on guard for that most notorious of leadership evils: pride.
Derailed is a helpful book, written by a Christian CEO, offers compelling warnings and helpful preventative measures for business leaders. In truth, anyone whose character affects their job performance would do well to read this book.