All of us constantly watching the ups and downs of the global markets, reevaluating business decisions, and wondering what to do in such a tumultuous economy.

We need to look at the dark side of leadership failure to gain insights into leaders that helped create the current economic maelstrom. Recent corporate bankruptcies reveal that some CEOs and government leaders fail on such a scale that they bring the company and the economy down with them. Why did AIG, Lehman Brothers and others fail? What are the patterns and warning signs? How can we detect the warning signs in organizations before it is too late? Bad Leadership Styles are a major cause of our current global economic crisis.

1. Incompetent: The leader and some of his/her followers lack the skills of high performance.

2. Inflexible: The leader is unwilling to adapt to new ideas, new information or changing times.

3. Impulsive: The leader lacks self-control and is enabled by followers who do not intervene.

4. Self-Absorbed: The leader is uncaring or unkind and narcissistic.

5. Corrupt: These leaders put self interest above all else.

6. Selfish: They disregard or minimize the health and welfare of others.

7. Non-Apologetic: They do not take responsibility and blame others to avoid legal jeopardy.

8. Evil: Some leaders and their followers are mean spirited and cause others great suffering.

One of our most benevolent leaders, President Franklin D. Roosevelt expressed the State of the Economy at another turbulent time in our history. Focusing on the truth, remaining optimistic and facing our fears is just as essential today.

"This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days. "

(Franklin D. Roosevelt, Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933)