Average Quote by Jeffrey Pfeffer
“While it is almost certainly true that leaders ought to eat last, the evidence on the ever-widening difference between CEO and average employee pay and the enormous severance packages leaders obtain even as front-line workers see their economic well-being eviscerated makes a mockery of the idea that leaders do anything other than take care of themselves.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don’t, Jeffrey Pfeffer, 2010
Leaders often prioritize personal gain over collective welfare, contradicting the ideal of servant leadership.
In simple terms: Leaders often put themselves first, not others.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge self‑serving leadership practices.
Themes
leadership
inequality
ethics
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- salary negotiations
- board meetings
- employee advocacy
- policy reform
Key Concepts
power dynamics
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can organizations enforce genuine servant leadership?
- What mechanisms deter excessive executive compensation?
A Different Perspective
Leaders may claim altruism while still benefiting personally.
