Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.31192/np.21.1.7
The Failures of Odysseus’ Heroic Leadership: A Cautionary Myth
Randy L. Richards
; College of Business at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, United States; Zagreb School of Economics and Management, Zagreb, Croatia
Borna Jalšenjak
orcid.org/0000-0001-5648-8146
; Luxembourg School of Business, Luxembourg
Abstract
In the paper, the authors offer preliminary insights about leadership and the reasons why looking at the Odysseus myth might not be a good idea. The focus of the paper is on the distinction between heroic behaviors and leadership behaviors and how misalignment between the two undermines the organizational mission (Nostoi). Quality of leadership is still today judged by focusing on the leader’s behavior rather than the success of the mission and the effect on their followers. This leads to various possibly wrong ends such as confusion about the importance of charisma, erosion of trust, and minimizing the importance of the overall mission compared to the personal goals of leaders.
Keywords
critique of behavior model; leadership failure; Odysseus
Hrčak ID:
295438
URI
Publication date:
13.3.2023.
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