Elephant in the Boardroom

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.

'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

• Preface Part A Researching derailed, incompetent and failed leaders Early research and speculations Personality Styles, traits and disorders Part B The Successful psychopath Narcissism at Work Machiavellian leader Part C Sector Specific disorders Six More Odd Balls The Cognitively Challenged Leader Part D Preventing and Managing Derailment