The Executive as Celebrity: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Who Is the Fairest of Them All?

Recent years have seen the rise of the 'Celebrity Executive', and this paper explores some of the derailment dangers that executives who aspire to be described in this way, face. Achieving celebrity status can, however, so easily lead to a misuse of executive privilege and potentially become the primary cause of their future failure. The paper highlights 10 dangers for those who are, and who may seek to be, in the spotlight. As a defense against losing composure, two tried and tested methods are introduced, which may help an executive dodge, sidestep or see-through potential derailment dangers. A challenge for all leaders is avoiding destructive and excessive self-belief and self-delusion and how to avoid being manipulated through sycophantic behavior, whilst maintaining respectful and ethically acceptable workplace relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]