Why hiring for competence and firing for character is a dated practice that generates weak performance and elevated risks
Mary Crossan
Mary Crossan
Dr. Mary Crossan is a Distinguished University Professor and Professor of Strategic Leadership at the Ivey Business School, Western University. In 2021 she was recognized on a global list representing the top two per cent of the most cited scientists in her discipline, and in 2023 she received the lifetime career achievement Academy of Management Distinguished Educator award. Her research on leader character, organizational learning and strategic renewal, and improvisation is published in over 100 articles and books. Her recent research focuses on the development of leader character as a critical foundation to support and elevate leader competencies. The Developing Leadership Character and The Character Compass books are a culmination of the team’s research on leader character. She is also a co-host of the Question of Character podcast series, a co-founder of Leader Character Associates, and co-founder of the Virtuosity app. She works with organizations around the world on developing and investing in leader character. She can be reached at mcrossan@ivey.uwo.ca.
For people who aspire to drive change, studying RBG’s character is as important as replicating her commitment and competence.
