Pleasing different stakeholders

A reason leaders behave inconsistently is a phenomenon called 'moral licensing.' When people do or say something virtuous, they seem to feel licensed to act in ways that might otherwise call their virtue into question.

Leaders working extremely hard for the common good, m...

While both men and women feel like "they have always been leaders" (being lens) and "a leader when others see me as one" (accepting theme), women feel like leaders when they are actively 'doing' (the engaging lens). Men rely more on the performing lens, meaning t...

There are two ways in which leaders develop their personal styles:

1. High self-monitors are naturally able to try on different styles until they find a good fit for themselves. They adapt to the demands of a situation without feeling fake. They care about managing thei...