Why You Should Not Learn Leadership Practices from Celebrity Founders/CEOs
In the business world, it’s common to seek out role models who can inspire our leadership style and inform our management practices. The narratives of celebrity founders and CEOs dominate social media, where snippets of their advice and tales of their corporate conquests are presented as the gold standards of leadership. Their remarkable success stories create an aura of infallibility around their management insights, leading many to believe that these figures not only know how to lead a company but also how to lead in any situation. But can true leadership acumen really be distilled from a few viral video clips or soundbites? Is their advice truly one-size-fits-all?
The reality is far more complex. Leadership and management effectiveness are nuanced and cannot simply be copied from those at the top. Let’s explore why adopting these high-profile practices might not be as effective as we think.
- Halo Effect: When we see someone competent in one area of life, we often assume that this individual is capable in almost every other area. This cognitive bias is called the halo effect. Consider wealthy individuals and founders: they share their opinions on almost everything, not just their businesses or products. They do this because we hang on their every word, and they may believe their success indicates they understand other areas well. For example, Steve Jobs had a great product mind and was a phenomenal leader, but his management practices were not without flaws. In one video, he suggested resolving conflicts by having everyone discuss the issue in a room until they agree. However, this is not always practical or beneficial — sometimes, it’s better to leave room for disagreement since conflict resolution isn’t about forcing consensus. His success at Apple does not make him a conflict resolution expert.
- Universality of Their Leadership Style: Leadership style and management practices are highly adaptable aspects of life. It’s unrealistic to adopt a single style and apply it universally. When you copy the leadership style of a celebrity CEO, you risk applying the wrong approach in the wrong situation. For example, Elon Musk bought Twitter and made radical organizational changes quickly. Although the company appeared to succeed in the short term, this doesn’t mean reducing team sizes abruptly is a universally successful strategy. Musk might have conducted extensive research or simply been lucky. Good decisions are based on solid reasoning and acceptable risk levels, not just on another’s success.
- Their Personal Influence: Another critical factor about celebrity CEOs is their personal influence and marketing power. Elon Musk can launch an innovative product like the Cybertruck and manage to sell it despite design concerns regarding safety for other road users and pedestrians. Its sharp body shape and tough material could pose serious risks in accidents. Such a vehicle might eventually be restricted or banned in some countries. Following Musk’s product strategy without considering these aspects would be ill-advised. His ability to sell products thanks to his massive following does not necessarily translate into a reliable product strategy for others. This approach of bypassing team decisions for even minor details is not an attitude you should adopt and implement in your company.
Exceptions do not make the rule.
We can find inspiration in exceptional success stories, pushing us to step out of our comfort zones. However, we should learn from a broader range of sources, including well-established experts in leadership and management. There are many coaches and management experts who write books and share valuable insights. It’s best to learn from as many different resources as possible before forming your leadership and management strategy. One size does not fit all, and we need to be flexible and constant learners as managers and leaders. What do you think? Share your perspective in the comment section.
Note to the Reader:
While I have learned a great deal from both Steve Jobs and Elon Musk and hold a deep respect for their achievements, I use them as examples in this discussion not out of disregard but from a place of critical thinking. It’s important to analyze and question even the most successful strategies to truly understand what effective leadership entails and to discern which practices might be best suited for our own unique contexts.
