The contrasting leadership styles of figures like Christo Wiese and Michiel le Roux highlight the influence of leadership on corporate culture, decision-making, and ethical climates. To an extent, the book also highlights the contrasting leadership styles of Jannie Mouton, Markus Jooste, Riaan Stassen and Gerrie Fourie.
Course Objectives:
- Explore the influence of leadership styles on corporate culture.
- Examine the psychological factors that affect organisational decision-making.
- Discuss how charismatic leaders can both inspire and endanger organisations.
Key Questions:
- How do charismatic leaders influence organisational behaviour, and what safeguards can prevent their authority from becoming detrimental?
- What role does psychological safety play in enabling employees to challenge unethical practices within hierarchical corporate structures?
- How does a leader’s personal ambition shape an organisation’s long-term strategic direction, as seen in the case of Boland Bank? And in the case of Capitec Bank?
- In what ways can charismatic leadership, as demonstrated by figures like Christo Wiese and Markus Jooste, create both value and vulnerability within corporate governance structures?
Short Harvard Business Review Type Answer: Charismatic leadership can drive rapid growth and inspire innovation, but it also introduces risks of overconfidence and unchecked authority. “Charismatic leaders like Jooste and Wiese use charm and misdirection to convince rational people to surrender their trust and critical thinking” (p. 24). Their persuasive power can stifle dissent, creating echo chambers that ignore critical feedback.
Jim Collins, in his HBR article “Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve” (2001), contrasts charismatic leaders with those who prioritize humility and rigorous debate. He notes that “charisma can be as much a liability as an asset if it masks poor decision-making and discourages constructive dissent.” This aligns with the book’s portrayal of how Wiese’s dominance sometimes led to strategic miscalculations.
Reference: Collins, J. (2001). Level 5 Leadership: The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve. Harvard Business Review.
Discussion Points:
- Charisma vs. Competence: How did Christo Wiese’s charisma affect strategic decisions at Boland Bank?
- Toxic Leadership: What are the warning signs of leadership becoming detrimental to an organisation?
- Psychological Safety: How can organisations foster environments where dissent is not only allowed but encouraged?
- Messiah Complex in Leadership: Discuss how the “Messiah Complex” can lead to ethical lapses in corporate leaders.
Assignments:
- Leadership Profile: Write a comparative analysis of Wiese’s leadership style versus ethical leadership frameworks.
- Role-Play: Simulate a board meeting where executives must challenge unethical practices. Try to include some moral licensing, where executives justify unethical behaviour based on past successes or perceived contributions to the company’s growth (p. 129).
Select another subject:-
Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
Financial Management and Risk Analysis