When examining business acumen, there’s perhaps no greater red flag than bankrupting a casino. In an industry where customers literally hand over their money with minimal expectation of return, failure suggests fundamental issues with management and decision making.
Yet even leaders with questionable business records can succeed if they possess one critical trait: self awareness. Understanding personal limitations and deliberately surrounding oneself with qualified experts creates a foundation for effective leadership.
What we’ve observed with Donald Trump’s administration, however, illustrates the opposite approach. His pattern of appointing individuals with limited qualifications to critical positions reflects a concerning priority. Rather than selecting the most capable advisors, there appears to be preference for loyalty and agreement over expertise and experience.
This leadership philosophy creates ripple effects throughout an organisation. When top decision makers prioritise personal validation over competent counsel, the consequences extend beyond the boardroom. In government, such dynamics can influence everything from economic stability to international relations.
The current economic challenges including inflation pressures and recession concerns didn’t emerge from nowhere. They reflect leadership decisions made without the benefit of diverse, expert perspectives that might have offered alternative approaches.
Similarly, international diplomacy requires nuance, experience and strategic thinking. Without qualified advisors providing context and historical understanding, relationships built over decades can unravel quickly.
The lesson for all leaders is clear: your effectiveness depends not just on your own capabilities, but on the quality of the team you assemble. When ego drives hiring decisions rather than organisational needs, everyone loses.
