The Goliath Illusion: When Strength Becomes Weakness

A seasoned consultant told me at the start of my career, during my first big project, how different types of leaders operate:

“First-level hires first-level, second-level hires third-level, and third-level fires first-level.”

That was a long time ago, but I think we see this play out when a strongman tries to project power—alienating allies and suppressing those he perceives as weak.

The greatest weakness of the strong is the illusion of their own limitless strength.