--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The worst disease which can afflict…" description: "\"The worst disease which can afflict business executives in their work is not, as popularly supposed, alcoholism; it's egotism.\" — Harold S. Geneen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c2/harold-s-geneen-59783_alcoholism_the-worst-disease-which-can-afflict-busi_3035890.jpg" --- # The worst disease which can afflict business executives in… ![“The worst disease which can afflict business executives in their work is not, as popularly supposed, alcoholism; it's egotism.” quote by Harold S. Geneen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c2/harold-s-geneen-59783_alcoholism_the-worst-disease-which-can-afflict-busi_3035890.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c2/harold-s-geneen-59783_alcoholism_the-worst-disease-which-can-afflict-busi_3035890.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c2/harold-s-geneen-59783_alcoholism_the-worst-disease-which-can-afflict-busi_3035890.jpg) > “The worst disease which can afflict business executives in their work is not, as popularly supposed, alcoholism; it's egotism.” [Harold S. Geneen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-s-geneen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Egotism, not alcoholism, is the greatest disease afflicting executives. **In simple terms:** Ego is a dangerous flaw for leaders. Key Takeaway Check ego, prioritize humility. Themes leadership ego business ethics Mood critical reflective Type business philosophical When to use this quote - executive meetings - boardrooms - decision making Key Concepts self‑awareness humility corporate culture Questions to Reflect On - How does ego affect your decisions? - What steps reduce ego at work? A Different Perspective Ego can be hard to recognize in oneself. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alcoholism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcoholism/) [Alcoholism Egotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcoholism-egotism-2449574/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business Executives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-executives-1309777/) [Disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disease/) [Egotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/egotism/) [Executives Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executives-work-2449577/) [Supposed Alcoholism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supposed-alcoholism-2449576/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst/) ## Related quotes > [The worst disease which can afflict executives in their work is not, as popularly supposed, alcoholism; it's egotism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/the-worst-disease-which-can-afflict-executives-in-their-work-is-not/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [Make sure you are the boss. 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This way, until the alcoholic begins removing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-sedaris/if-you-decide-on-having-an-alcoholic-at-your-party-make-sure-it-s-a/) [Amy Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-sedaris/) > [“Alcoholism is a choice... not a life sentence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-norman/alcoholism-is-a-choice-not-a-life-sentence/) [David Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-norman/) > [“I am made of a thousand ghosts. Only you can shoot me down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-james/i-am-made-of-a-thousand-ghosts-only-you-can-shoot-me-down/) [Bella James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-james/) > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More by Harold S. Geneen > [You can't run a business or anything else on a theory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-s-geneen/you-can-t-run-a-business-or-anything-else-on-a-theory/) [Harold S. Geneen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-s-geneen/) > [It is an immutable law in business that words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises-but only performance is reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-s-geneen/it-is-an-immutable-law-in-business-that-words-are-words-explanations/) [Harold S. Geneen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-s-geneen/) > [He suffered from paralysis by analysis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-s-geneen/he-suffered-from-paralysis-by-analysis/) [Harold S. Geneen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-s-geneen/) > [I don't believe in just ordering people to do things. You have to sort of grab an oar and row with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-s-geneen/i-don-t-believe-in-just-ordering-people-to-do-things-you-have-to-sort-2/) [Harold S. Geneen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-s-geneen/) [Explore all 5 Harold S. Geneen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-s-geneen/) ## More Alcoholism quotes > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [“I am made of a thousand ghosts. 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