Case 12.2:The Fear of Success
Case synopsis and analysis
Prior to becoming CEO, Tim excelled as an employee, showed great potential and was
consistently promoted. But, as CEO, Tim spiraled into dysfunctional behaviors: he could not
make decisions, put off projects and placed too much attention on minor details. He even showed
up drunk to a few meetings. Essentially, Tim’s effectiveness diminished as he rose to the top.
Learning objectives:
1) Students will begin to investigate a leader’s underlying motivations and behavior
Answers to questions in the text:
1. Should the executive board have fired Tim for failing to live up to expectations? What
alternatives are there?
Students will differ on this. Some will argue that the board did the right thing: Tim was not
performing and failed. On the other hand, perhaps the board could have worked harder to
2. What could the board have done to help Tim address these disruptive behaviors?
As mentioned above, the board could have hired a coach to help Tim, or enrolled him in group
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
3. What areas should be explored with Tim in trying to decode his negative associations with
success?
The coach could explore Tim’s inner theatre to consider how his relationship with his dad is
influencing his work. Within the inner theatre, certain relationship themes develop over time—
4. What can Tim do to develop an alternative, more constructive internal narrative of success?
The first step towards getting over the fear of success is to recognize it and to surface the source
5. As a coach, how would you work with Tim to confront his fear of success?
Potential teaching approaches:
Below is a way to structure a class based on skill theory and case study 12.2:
• Hold a lecture on psychodynamic approach.
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
Exercises for this case study:
1) Students could talk about a follower or leader who failed greatly in a particular role. In
small groups, students should explore why this person might have failed. What might
have been this person’s internal dialogue? Is it possible that they failed because of past
The professor also could encourage students to reflect upon their own internal dialogues.
How might messages from childhood or early adulthood impact students’ current
leadership? Or willingness to be a leader? This exercise might be best if students journal
2) Role-play: Students can role-play a coach and Tim. First, create a list of questions that a