Back to Why Smart Executives Fail: Common Mistakes & Warning Signs
Dartmouth College

Why Smart Executives Fail: Common Mistakes & Warning Signs

We don’t often talk about mistakes and failures, but there’s so much to learn from what goes wrong. In this course, Professor Sydney Finkelstein will teach you why leaders make mistakes, and what you can do to avoid making those same mistakes yourself. Using real-life examples of smart executives who failed, Professor Finkelstein will walk you through scenarios that prepare you to understand, manage, and even take advantage of the continuous change that is inevitable in organizations and in life.

Status: Organizational Leadership
Status: Leadership Development
BeginnerCourse17 hours

Featured reviews

CH

5.0Reviewed Feb 10, 2024

Excellent course. Learning lessons from others' mistakes is an interesting method but really makes sense when you go through this first section of the entire course.

MM

5.0Reviewed Jan 5, 2024

Truly amazing course with lots of good examples and explanation. It really opens eyes for important factors. Recommended for all - not only leaders. I look forward for next course already.

NB

5.0Reviewed Apr 24, 2022

Sydney was great at painting the complete picture and engaging. I enjoyed every module of this course and learned a lot.

OV

5.0Reviewed Oct 14, 2023

The course is awakening and opens up thoughts on leadership and management. Prof. Finkelstein is so amazing and they way of delivery of concepts will make you to learn more. Dont miss this leaders!!!

MS

5.0Reviewed Jul 7, 2022

The course helped me a lot in understanding organisational behaviours. Being a general manager of an educational institution my skills of managing has been enhanced exponentiolly. Thank you!

GL

5.0Reviewed Nov 22, 2023

So helpful and practical! Eye opening cases to reveal common pitfalls we are all prone to make. Excellent videos presentations and case studeies.

CT

5.0Reviewed Jul 4, 2022

Very insightful and thoughts provoking. Delivered in a manner that has kept me going on to learn more and listen to Prof Sydney Finkelstein. Look forward to attending more from Sir.

RH

5.0Reviewed Mar 24, 2023

Covers many insightful lessons. The Professor's storytelling skill is impressive, very easy to follow and understand all points delivered. Very good, especially if we don't skip the assignments.

AS

4.0Reviewed Mar 28, 2024

While i was doing this course i get to know many things and it really help me in my future scope and goal and i found it really nice

LM

5.0Reviewed Jul 6, 2024

The content is interesting and easy to learn. The course supports self evaluation. I learned more about myself and my own leadership style and the critical areas where I can strive to be better.

CS

5.0Reviewed Nov 1, 2023

Excellent presentation and delivery. Outstanding explanations and supporting examples. Timing on videos was solid, good supporting visuals.

NA

5.0Reviewed Dec 2, 2022

I have learned a lot regarding the need of feedback and how to learn from other people mistakes, the 7 bad habits to avoid are inspirating

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 115

Jennifer Reichart
5.0
Reviewed Apr 24, 2022
Alim Jinnah
5.0
Reviewed May 9, 2022
Nicole Branson
5.0
Reviewed Apr 25, 2022
Shadi Rihani
4.0
Reviewed Jul 26, 2022
Robert Krivickas
5.0
Reviewed May 20, 2022
Mike C. Boeck
5.0
Reviewed Apr 13, 2023
Ahmed Junaid
5.0
Reviewed Mar 25, 2024
Ciru M
5.0
Reviewed Apr 28, 2024
Kwame Justice
5.0
Reviewed Aug 9, 2025
Jessica Pink Hearts
5.0
Reviewed Sep 12, 2024
Craig Zamboni
5.0
Reviewed Jun 7, 2023
أمل احمد محمد الشهري
5.0
Reviewed Oct 16, 2022
Patrick Winnikes
5.0
Reviewed Jan 26, 2023
Kanisha Fells
5.0
Reviewed Jun 22, 2023
Michael Patrick
5.0
Reviewed Feb 15, 2023
Sandra Dsouza
5.0
Reviewed Oct 11, 2022
Karen Parker
5.0
Reviewed Nov 5, 2022
Ch. Ahrar Ahmad
5.0
Reviewed Nov 27, 2023
Maria Villalba
5.0
Reviewed May 4, 2023
Veronica Rajandra
5.0
Reviewed Dec 13, 2022