Leadership and Self Deception

Since becoming a consultant, I have never read so much! In my first two years in this industry, I read more books than my entire time in school! I even find myself revisiting my old library and finishing books that I started reading several years ago.

I had always considered myself open to new ideas and committed to continual learning. Since I became a consultant, learning and continuous improvement has become a quest!

Occasionally, I encounter a concept that is a true game changer. A concept that is so striking, so remarkable that it commands a different approach – and the realization that I just missed the point. Such is the case with Leadership and self deception by the Arbinger Institute. It takes the Johari Window to a whole new level. It explains why “soft skills” training has little lasting effect. It shows how personal and organizational problems result from “self deception”. It uncovers what self deception is, and how easily we get trapped “in the box”. Most importantly, it uncovers the surprising way to get out of the box and solve our problems.

When my kids became teenagers, they became detached. Like most teens, they started drifting as they looked to discover themselves. And started exploring things I would have preferred they not pursue. This book uncovered the fact that by being “in the box” with them, I was encouraging them to pursue exactly what I did not want.

This book completely changed my view of myself as an individual, as a leader, and as a consultant. It explains many of the things that happened in the course of my career and how simple getting out of the box can be. Certainly on my “must read” list for leaders. As the cover so eloquently states, its a phenomenon that is changing lives and transforming organizations.