I didn't really think there was much in common between ENRON, a holding company, and GM, a car maker, until I remembered what I read about the impudence and arrogance of the men who lead them. 

Case in point for ENRON:  Ken Lay, former CEO, really liked to be admired, to socialize and loved the frills of being a high roller.  (He thought he had a shot at U.S. Treasury Secretary in 2000.)  He often used the corporate jet for his family and their vacations. In the executive dining room for lunch, an assistant would take Lay's sandwich and put it on fine china while his top executives ate the sandwiches wrapped in paper. And just this morning I read where GM chairman Rick Wagoner was forced out by the White House. Wasn't he one of several officers in the different car companies who flew to DC on their corporate jets while thousands of their employees were losing their jobs and being laid off? I even think he not only did it once, but two times. Geez Louise!

Don't get me wrong, these men like so many who lead large corporations, are highly intelligent, visionaries, confident and largely successful business icons. In fact, 70% of all senior executives share in some of their personality type. These men believe they are special, are preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance and  crave excessive admiration. They believe they are entitled to or deserve special treatment and are often interpersonally exploitative of others. In "psycho-babble" terms it's called narcissistic.  Or if you have someone between the ages of 13 and 20, you might call it being a teenager.  

In my coaching practice I have tried to work with at least two men who were like these men. It didn't last very long. I fired them. In true leadership, one must learn to admit vulnerability, accept accountability, develop empathy, know what being humble means and live that way. Learn to be more self aware and serve others best interest, not your own.

God did not desire life to be all about you, your success, being comfortable and getting the credit. If you think so, you're living in a very small world indeed.

Finally, I like the reminder I read from Ron Rose's Faith Notes today:

when the unexpected happens this week...look for God in the surprise, listen for his voice, look for his presence and yield to his direction. Faith sees God in the unexpected moments.

rb