Today, we uncover yet another dangerous leadership blind spot: overplacement. I’m referring to the notion that we and our teams are superior to the competition. Using Kodak’s tragic downfall as a case study, we’ll discover how leaders can become too proud of past wins, too dismissive of rising threats, and too slow to adapt.
We’ll also explore the science behind this bias and why it’s even more dangerous in high-performing leaders. I’ll share real-world examples and hard truths about what happens when we overestimate our strengths and underestimate our competition.
Ready to develop the self-awareness that separates great leaders from fallen giants? Check out my book “The Mammoth in the Room” and stay tuned for details of our upcoming online leadership academy launching this fall.
In this episode:
Introduction to overconfidence in leadership
The better-than-average trap
How overconfidence led to Kodak’s downfall
The dangers of overplacement in leadership
Key takeaways on overplacement and action points
Resources Used in the Episode:
Traphagan, J. W. (2015). Why Smart People Make Dumb Mistakes. Psychology Today.
