Theory: Sick Organization Leader Quits

Theory: Sick Organization Leader Quits

Leaders of various sick organizations around the world quit all the time for various reasons. Sometimes the quitting comes without warning, or obvious/explained reason, and sometimes the quitting is expected/wanted by many for a good while. In one case, a worker going to the retirement party of the leader of a sick organization said the reason he was going to the party was "to make sure he was leaving."

Some of the reasons for quitting can be tired of the constant BS and turmoil, of always trying to control and handle and get work out of crazy/lazy people, of constantly seeking money/profit to keep organization going, of having to act out a part to the public and politicians, and trying to escape being exposed, to avoid a lawsuit, to beat getting fired, to leave a positive legacy, to avoid a breakdown, etc. In other cases the leader could be forced out by higher bosses because he lost his composure/temper and embarassed the organization and showed he could not control even himself, because he did not follow the leadership directions wanted by higher bosses, because he could not do the job, because products/profits were not enough, etc.

The quitting reasons released/given are varied, and usually do not reflect the true reasons, which are usually hidden to avoid any negative publicity getting out to the public.

Some reasons (true or not) given by a sick organization for a leader of a sick organization quitting can be as follows: accomplished goals, taking on another challenge elsewhere, for personal reasons, for health reasons, going to pursue different things, time for a new direction, returning to teaching, going to retire, going to write, etc. It is rarely noted that a leader was forced out or fired.

The real reasons for quitting/forcing out are generally two: 1. The higher bosses are tired of the leader's mistakes, etc. 2. The leader is tired of what he is doing.

The leader usually wants to quit while still on top, before any scandal/lawsuit involving him/her gets out, and before any decrease in positive publicity/legacy occurs.

Sometimes a temporary leader is put in place until the new leader can be selected. Higher powers do not want much change going on during the time of the temporary leader, so sometimes they get a past leader out of retirement to fill in that does not do much except smile a lot and act happy. Such a past leader is usually known for going down the middle of the road, telling each side to cool it and wait for future changes (which never come), hoping problem will die down, but never really solving the problem. Such a leader is perfect for what they want, no changes. 

The sick organization finds a new leader that, surprise - surprise, has many of the same leadership characteristics of the previous leaders. So he/she fits right in with the continuing controlling political operation of the organization. And the sick organization keeps on staying sick ........and operating as before..........



Some of Lawler's thoughts on sick leaders quitting: Even the leader of a sick organization can tire of constantly burying the poo, and quit.

"Great" leader of sick organization quits, & thus buries last bit of poo about him/her before public exposure, saving some face.

When a person either quits or dies, others lie about them on the positive side the most, saying how "Great" they were.

"Great" leader of sick organization quit before the mountain of poo buried him/her & their "great" legacy.

Even "great" leaders of a sick organization can tire of the constant BS they must keep control of & dole out to others.

When you are dealing with humans, crazy humans, and crazier humans the BS never stops.

Once a leader of a sick organization throws a hissy fit, and thus proves he cannot even control himself, the higher bosses know they have a problem and need a new leader.

Even the leader of a sick organization can tire of having more ruthless bosses than him controlling his life.

One leader quitting said "I'm just tired." Apparently response from one who is tired of the constant BS of dealing with crazy/lazy people.

An organization is only as good at that moment as the worse one of their organization getting negative publicity.

Adrian R. Lawler, Ph.D.,    (C) 2012 --