This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by de Vries, M. F. R. K. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Leader as Mirror: Clinical Reflections

European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD)

Starting with a literary example, the nature of "mirroring" is reviewed in the context of human development and linked to leader-follower interaction patterns. It is argued that mirroring is needed for establishing and maintaining the boundaries of the self. Depending on the nature and quality of the developmental interface distortive mirroring patterns may come to the fore. Using a case example, it will be demonstrated how, particularly in situations of crisis, leaders can easily turn into mirrors reflecting what we wish to see. This can create an illusory form of reality and in the process endangers the organization.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Luhrmann and P. Eberl Leadership and Identity Construction: Reframing the Leader-Follower Interaction from an Identity Theory Perspective Leadership, February 1, 2007; 3(1): 115 - 127. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. M. O'Neill and D. Sankowsky The Caligula Phenomenon: Mentoring Relationships and Theoretical Abuse Journal of Management Inquiry, September 1, 2001; 10(3): 206 - 216. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Dumas and D. Sankowsky Understanding The Charismatic Leader-Follower Relationship: Promises and Perils Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, January 1, 1999; 5(4): 29 - 45. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Aaltio-Marjosola and J. Lehtinen Male Managers as Fathers? Contrasting Management, Fatherhood, and Masculinity Human Relations, February 1, 1998; 51(2): 121 - 136. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Vince Emphasizing Learning in Management Research Management Learning, March 1, 1995; 26(1): 55 - 72. [Abstract]

				M. F. R. Kets De Vries Leaders on the Couch Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, November 1, 1990; 26(4): 423 - 431. [Abstract] [PDF]