The regressive effects of the traditional programme

Julia Romanowska

Chapter 11 in Leadership, Art, and Responsibility, 2026, pp 83-91 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter examines why the traditional leadership programme, undertaken by the control group, not only failed to strengthen the participating managers but in several respects was associated with a deterioration in their leadership and heightened stress among their co-workers. Through interviews and written evaluations, eight underlying mechanisms – the eight “I’s” – were identified as shaping these adverse outcomes. The programme's familiarity and affirming pedagogy created a sense of safety that reinforced existing assumptions rather than challenging them (“identification and individualisation effect”). Its emphasis on models, methods, and simplified theories further distanced leaders from the complex realities of human interaction (“instrumentalisation and idealisation of reality”). Oscillation between rigid models and unexamined intuition fostered anti-intellectual attitudes and impaired faculty of judgement (“intuition as security”). The programme's normative ideals – centred on participation, coaching, and humanistic values – were instilled in a way that encouraged conformity rather than the assumption of ethical responsibility (“institutionalisation and indoctrination of values”). Finally, the cumulative effect of these tendencies resulted in a pedagogical infantilisation, diminishing leaders’ maturity and capacity to face ambiguity, conflict, and the ethical demands of real situations (“infantilisation effect”). Taken together, these mechanisms reveal a paradox: although the participants expressed strong satisfaction with the training and reported improved confidence, their co-workers experienced increased destructive leadership, avoidance of responsibility, and greater psychological strain. The chapter argues that leadership development must confront participants with the complexity of reality – not shield them from it – if it is to cultivate mature, responsible, and ethically attuned subjects.

Keywords: Traditional Programme Effects; Adverse Leadership Outcomes; The Eight “I’s”; Instrumentalisation; Intuition; Infantilisation; Complexity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781049403991
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