Jeffrey Pfeffer: stop selling leadership malarkey

Purpose – For insights into the debate between consultants who advocate authentic, character-based leadership and those that believe leadership is primarily an exercise of political power, S & L interviewed Professor Jeffrey Pfeffer, author of Leadership BS: Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time. Design/methodology/approach – Professor Pfeffer believes “By any measure or set of relevant measures, the leadership industry has failed and continues to do so.” The interviewer asks him why he reached this conclusion and what implications this has for practitioners. Findings – Simply put, leaders need to be true to what others need from them, not to how they may be feeling. Practical implications – Professor Pfeffer offers a reminder of the enduring functionality of political skills and acumen in the workplace, which many adherents of the “inspirational leadership” approach don’t seem to want to embrace. Originality/value – Professor Pfeffer offers a no-holds-barred account of the intersection of modern workplace realities and self-interested leadership.