Hubris; Arrogance, Excessive Self-confidence and Toxic Decision-making

There is a popular maxim which states “pride comes before a fall, but in governance, it also often triggers the collapse”. Liberia’s political history is littered with too many examples of leadership were, according to subsequent post-mortem, forced them to their knees as a result of toxic decision-making brought on by arrogance or excessive self-confidence and of course, ignorance and pride. History tells us that in the final analysis we were left with the word “hubris” again and again. The perennial problem of hubris in leadership continues to show its ugly face as our nation sinks deeper and faster than the titanic without finding any visible tributary upon which we can sail as a nation and people. The critical question we must answer is:

Is it that leadership distorts a person’s character and or thinking to the extent that it inflates their ego so much so that it leads to them to making many fouled and damaging decisions?

The answer to this question is critical in understanding the individual and the role power/leadership plays. Michelle Obama cleverly articulated when she said, “Power doesn’t corrupt a person it only brings out our true nature”. This is fundamental in our understanding of human nature when exposed to power. Psychological research has shown that humans may be hardwired to make dubious decisions about the future and that leaders could learn a thing or two from the crows, which are much better at forward thinking. When a fearless crow has a direct, unimpeded path to a nearby food source, the adrenalin kicks in and the bird rapidly hops in a beeline to the meal. Familiar with this particular food and confident in its environment, the bird knows it can go quickly and seize the prize. Its speed may be determined by the fact that its prey may be moving, or that there’s competition for it from other crows.

Professor Christoph Loch at the Cambridge Business School argues that hubris is not a mental disease; it is the result of psychological reactions to power and status to which we all are subject.  He goes further to state, in healthy people, it serves to enable confidence and reduces the stress but in some, it creates the perception of oneself as a giant and others as minions. This, in my belief, makes hubris a very relevant subject to mitigating potential risk in political governance. Additionally, Professor Manfred Kets de Vries (Cambridge) argues that hubris tends to lead leaders astray when they (leaders) stop recognizing that many of the subordinates are lying to them-even if they don’t realize it.

The current unfolding in Liberia leaves one to wonder amid toxic decision-making fueled by unchecked hubris on the part of the president. The notion that the country belongs to the president and that its finances can be spent at will by the president is a dangerous recipe, which leads to the downward spiral, the nation is faced with. Unless we muster the courage to engage the government and President Weah, Liberia’s progress will continue to be stalled. Our people will continue to live in the abyss of poverty and hardship while a few, at the expense of the impoverished masses, live in splendor and luxury.

Just a thought…