Leadership, Power, & the Psychology of Better Decisions

Guest: Manfred Kets de Vries

Every executive has experienced it.

A strategy looked sound. The data was convincing. The leadership team agreed. Yet the outcome still fell short.

Why?

According to renowned leadership scholar Manfred Kets de Vries, the answer isn't in the strategy itself, but in the psychology of the people making decisions.

In this thought-provoking episode, Maureen Metcalf sits down with one of the world's foremost experts on leadership psychology to explore how unconscious patterns, executive blind spots, and the dynamics of power quietly shape organizations.

Together they discuss:

• Why self-awareness is one of a leader's greatest competitive advantages
• How micromanagement, hubris, and executive blind spots spread throughout an organization
• Why many executive teams remain misaligned despite strong talent
• The hidden cost of leaders who stop receiving honest feedback
• Practical ways boards and executive teams can build trust, alignment, and psychological safety.

T his conversation offers powerful insights into the human dynamics that determine whether strategies ultimately succeed or fail.

 

 

Other episodes you'll enjoy:

- (Henry Mintsberg episodes – Manfred worked with him)

 

For daily wisdom from our guests, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn.

RESOURCES:  

Learn more about Manfred and his work at his Institute’s website: https://kdvi.com/.

 

To learn more about his academic work and case studies, read his faculty page at https://www.insead.edu/faculty/manfred-f-r-kets-de-vries.

 

His many books include the titles he mentioned in the interview, including: The Neurotic Organization (available in hardback at https://amzn.to/4wauotJ).

 

And his Medium channel is at Manfred Kets de Vries – Medium.

 

Our host Maureen Metcalf posts a newsletter every week on LinkedIn. You can subscribe here. 

 

Maureen’s latest book is Innovative Leadership & Followership in the Age of AI. You’ll find details about it at https://bit.ly/LeaderInAI, or check out the Kindle version at https://amzn.to/44buVz8. The audiobook version is now available at  https://amzn.to/4dTCleZ.

 

Her other 10 books are available on Amazon here. 

 

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OUR PODCAST TEAM:  

Host & Executive Producer: Maureen Metcalf

Editor & Executive Producer: Dan Mushalko

Graphics Editor: Stacia Rogan

Booking Producer: Jenna Reik (Jreik@innovativeleadership.com)

Theme Music by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay.

 

CONNECT WITH US: 

YouTube: @InnovatingLeadership 

LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ILI-LinkedIn2 

Website: InnovativeLeadershipInstitute.com 

 

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About Our Guest:  

Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries is Distinguished Clinical Professor of Leadership Development and Organizational Change at INSEAD and the Raoul de Vitry d'Avaucourt Chaired Professor of Leadership Development, Emeritus. A pioneer in applying psychology and psychoanalysis to leadership and organizational behavior, he founded INSEAD's Global Leadership Centre and has spent decades helping senior executives and boards become more reflective, effective leaders. Recognized as one of the world's leading management thinkers, he has authored nearly 50 books and more than 400 articles on leadership, executive coaching, organizational transformation, and the dynamics of human behavior.