A Critical Review Of Derailed By Robert Nardelli

The business world is like a narrow bridge, all it takes is one wrong step and you fall off the edge. These executives are some of the greatest minds in their industries achieving rapid success, but end up driving the train off course. In this article Derailed, author Tim Irvin narrates the collapse of six high-profile CEOs (Robert Nardelli, Carly Fiorina, Durk Jager, Steven Heyer, Frank Raines and Dick Fuld) and the components that drove their depositions. The failure of character is a common issue along with deficits in authenticity, humility, self-management and courage. This article ultimately explains that derailment is foreseen long before the collapse. What we learn is how derailment occurs and how to avoid train wrecks in our own professions. II.) Lesson one:

Once he saw everyone around him getting bigger, those dreams were shattered. A new ambition was developed to conquer the corporate world. Nardelli earned a business degree and accepted a job at General Electric where he would thrive. His worked ethic was his biggest asset but it was not enough to be the next CEO. Luckily Nardelli was offered the CEO position at Home Depot. Nardelli's problems occurred when he dismissed the interpersonal relationship standard. The staff morale and customer service began to dismantle. Home Depot was a dictatorship at the time, it was his way or the highway. The lack of leadership was due to his arrogance, tone-deaf response to criticism, and the "get it right or get out" approach to the staff. The most important message to receive comes from Irvin, "Greatness does not result from competence only; it flows from an inspired work force that trusts the character of its