Behavior Quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer
“I decided to write Leadership BS because I was irritated by the hypocrisy in the leadership literature and the fact that many of the people writing leadership books exhibited behavior that was precisely the opposite of what they advocated and also what they claimed they did. Stories did not seem to be a good foundation on which to build a science of leadership.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Leadership BS by Jeffrey Pfeffer, 2015
The author critiques the gap between leadership theory and the behavior of its authors, arguing that hypocrisy undermines credibility and scientific foundations.
In simple terms: Leadership books often conflict with authors' actions.
Key Takeaway
Question the integrity of leadership advice.
Themes
hypocrisy
leadership
credibility
science
integrity
Mood
skeptical
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- organizational training
- author credibility
- self‑reflection
- professional development
Key Concepts
behavioral inconsistency
authenticity
trust
knowledge gaps
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess the authenticity of advice?
- What standards should guide leadership literature?
A Different Perspective
The critique may overlook genuine insights within some leadership works.
