Ken Lay Dead Getting Approximately Same Amount of Respect As Ken Lay Alive
We had a brief spasm of concern yesterday before we posted about the passing of Ken Lay. A man had just died, after all; a man, whatever his faults, who had a family that loved him. Were we being too harsh, mocking him only moments after the report of his untimely demise?
As it turns out, we weren't nearly far-thinking enough. Apart from the grammar-challenged Post cover you see here, Business Week's Jon Fine passing along the following press release:
From: Dave Overton Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2006 12:27 PM To: Beucke, Dan Subject: [NEWMANPR] - Why the demise of Ken Lay?
Dan,
One of the top reasons why CEOs get fired is "Denying Reality." In milder cases, a CEO will quit rather than let a horrible truth puncture their fantastical views. Or they'll blame their workers or board. They'll craft all sorts of psychological defense mechanisms to avoid shouldering culpability.
One could argue in Lay's case that the truth he would be forced to confront (bankrupt company, displaced workers, destroyed nest eggs, prison, etc.) was so horrible, and so unavoidable, that his body simply shut down rather than confront a terrible reality.
Lay's death may be the equivalent of a child sticking their fingers in their ears to avoid hearing something bad. But a lot more final.
Mark Murphy is CEO of Leadership IQ, a Washington, D.C. based management consulting firm.
Mark has some interesting thoughts on the demise of Ken Lay and how others can avoid his fate.
Please let me know if you would like to speak with him.
Thanks for your time.
Actually, the only person to feel bad for here is Ronn [sic] Torrosian, who is no doubt kicking himself that he didn't think of this first.
