Prozac Leadership and the Limits of Positive Thinking

Collinson, David Leonard (2016) Prozac Leadership and the Limits of Positive Thinking. Leadership. ISSN 1742-7150

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Abstract

This article critically examines excessive positivity in leadership dynamics. It argues that the tendency for leader positivity to become excessive is a recurrent but under-researched medium through which power and identity can be enacted in leadership dynamics. Drawing on the metaphor of ‘Prozac’, it suggests that leaders’ excessive positivity is often characterized by a reluctance to consider alternative voices, which can leave organizations and societies ill-prepared to deal with unexpected events. Prozac leadership encourages leaders to believe their own narratives that everything is going well and discourages followers from raising problems or admitting mistakes. The article also argues that followers (broadly defined) are often quick to identify leaders’ excessive positivity and are likely to respond through various forms of resistance. It concludes by considering the extent to which excessive positivity also characterizes leadership studies, and raises additional questions for further critical analyses of Prozac leadership.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Leadership
Additional Information:
‘Prozac Leadership and the Limits of Positive Thinking’ was republished in a virtual Special issue of Leadership, entitled: ‘Rethinking Leadership Research’. Edited by the Editor of the journal, this Special issue in 2016 comprised 7 peer reviewed articles selected to showcase "the excellent scholarship" that has been published in the journal over the previous 10 years. Please see: http://journals.sagepub.com/page/lea/collections/rethinking-leadership-research/index
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3312
Subjects:
?? EXCESSIVE POSITIVITYPROZAC LEADERSHIPCRITICAL LEADERSHIP STUDIESPOWERIDENTITYRESISTANCESTRATEGY AND MANAGEMENTSOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE ??
ID Code:
87009
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
11 Jul 2017 14:20
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
22 Nov 2022 04:48