18 Apr Why is Breaking Bad a lesson for leaders?

Posted at 20:01h in Uncategorized by
0 Likes

I call it the Breaking Bad theory – where a series of decisions produce a compound effect similar to inflated confidence or ignorant faith leading to an attitude of contrived invincibility. 

Becoming Heisenberg 
Like many others I watched the series Breaking Bad, and I not only loved it for its entertainment value, but I was equally fascinated by the actions of mainly, Walter White. White was an everyday father and husband, chemistry teacher at his local high school – who discovers he is terminally ill with cancer and is concerned about financing his treatments. So, he takes a bold step, he begins producing Crystal Meth.

Crystal meth is short for crystal methamphetamine, which is a white crystalline drug that people take by snorting, smoking, injecting it with a needle or taking it orally. It is just one form of the drug methamphetamine.

The Breaking Bad theory applies to business as well. If you consider scandals that we have seen, in sport, investment banking or any industry I believe that very bad behaviour is compound, and evolutionary in nature. For the most part we graduate into less moral behaviours as we successfully navigate smaller infractions. Walter White begins to cook meth as a way to pay for his cancer treatments so as to not disable his family finances or burden them with debt.  From there he becomes exposed to other unsavoury opportunities and it’s a constant battle of will he or won’t he? That becomes the drug itself for Walter White – the intoxication of the danger, of the invincibility, of the drunken perception of success.

The theory really, rests with risk. If you succeed without being caught, harmed or hurt; then that risk becomes less threatening and the next ‘more’ risky step seems far less daunting or unachievable. It is like riding a bike, at first the thought of riding without training wheels seems impossible, but after some time on the bike it feels more possible because you are more comfortable with riding. So you graduate to life without training wheels, then to going faster, or jumping curbs or racing your friends. You may tumble, you may fall, but you do not go back to having your training wheels. You simply, just get back on the bike.

There is a lot of opportunity to judge leaders in high-ranking positions that make sizeable errors and take crazy risks that end up jeopardizing a lot of people, a lot of organizations and potentially, a lot of hard work done by others. What is the possibility that those leaders, whether taking bribes or running ponzi schemes, are only as bad as their first mistake?

Is it rational to believe all humans have the ability to cross the line? Where is that line? Is it different for all of us? Does our risk tolerance come into play? What about our childhoods? Nature? Nurture? What about different views on what is moral or right? What about taking a chance in a weak moment and feeling the thrill of success? Would you do it again? Would you go further? What would make you stop?

My point is do we need to consider how many opportunities exist for us, on a daily basis, to step out on our morality? And is it reasonable that sometimes those opportunities are so tantalizing that our core belief system takes a back seat.  Maybe we only see one way out? Maybe we stop caring what someone or a bunch of someone’s will think? Maybe we see a small risk for a large pay off? Maybe we want to see if we will get caught? Maybe we just want what we want. Maybe we are selfish and juvenile. Maybe we are human.

Perhaps as leaders, within our own team and businesses, we can be the example of analysis. Where we don’t make immediate judgements on others behaviours, instead we ask questions and we seek to know where the first fracture actually occurred. Where we assess whether or not as the leader, we have potentially let something happen – promoted it to happen or simply, not paid enough attention so it could happen.

Our call as leaders is to not only be the example, but to be the pioneer.
33 Comments
  • 醫學美容-康和堂-真空-cosmetic-wiki
    Posted at 00:02h, 26 October

    瑞士 Professionel’s 玻尿酸注水精華 高效鎖水減紋精華 , 保濕, 減紋, 玻尿酸

  • Football Solutions UEFA Youth League - Atlético-Malmö
    Posted at 13:20h, 06 November

    KEVIN KILBANE: Manchester United vs Liverpool in Europe on St Patrick’s Day. It’s really something to look forward to. And yet what does it say about the demise of these two great rivals? Manchester United vs Liverpool is the tie of the round in the Europa League last 16 but it is a sign of how far they have fallen

  • futbol.run Nils Schouterden
    Posted at 11:55h, 20 November

    New Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has started running the rule over his squad and there are a number of youngsters at the club who will be hoping to catch the Italian’s eye during pre-season. Chelsea are starting a new era under manager Maurizio Sarri… here are five youngsters hoping to impress the Italian during pre-season

  • cocuk pornosu izle
    Posted at 04:43h, 14 January

    I think this is one of the most important info for me. And im glad reading your article. But should remark on few general things, The website style is great, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers

  • child porn
    Posted at 17:54h, 17 January

    Remarkable web site, Distinguished comments that I can tackle. I am shifting ahead and might apply to my current job as a pet sitter, which may be very fulfilling, however I must additional expand. All the Best

  • fuck google
    Posted at 00:49h, 18 January

    Very interesting idea, its all so pretty. I thought I would leave my first comment

  • fuck google
    Posted at 13:37h, 18 January

    I take delight in reading what you had to express, You have an remarkable knowledge on the subject informationa nd I look forward to examing more of what you have to say. I will pay attention and bookmark your post and come back to your internet site when an update is posted.

  • child partner
    Posted at 18:54h, 21 January

    Hi there, I found your web site by way of Google whilst searching for a comparable topic, your web site came up, it seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

  • google child porn
    Posted at 03:10h, 22 January

    I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Thanks , hlyn Steger

  • child porno child porno child porno child porno child porno
    Posted at 19:29h, 22 January

    Im wondering if you have noticed how the media has changed? Now it seems that it is discussed thoroughly and more in depth. Frankly it is about time we see a change.

  • oruspu cocugu porno
    Posted at 07:45h, 24 January

    Wonderful story. I was checking continuously to this weblog and I am really impressed! Extremely educational information, especially the 4th sentences. I really want this kind of info. I used to be seeking this particular knowledge for weeks. Thanks and good luck.

  • oruspu cocugu porno
    Posted at 01:52h, 25 January

    My friend and I were just talking about this specific subject, she actually is normally attempting to prove me completely wrong! I am about to show her this blog post and additionally rub it in a little!

  • cocuk pornosu sevenler
    Posted at 09:08h, 25 January

    Thats sort of simple.

  • sa
    Posted at 17:56h, 25 January

    Thanks for posting this, it was very informative and helped me very much

  • fuck google
    Posted at 00:26h, 26 January

    Perfect blog post

  • �ocuk pornografisi
    Posted at 22:05h, 27 January

    Im happy I found this blog, I couldnt learn any information on this subject matter prior to. I also run a site and if you want to ever serious in a little bit of guest writing for me if feasible really feel free to let me know, im always appear for people to test out my site. Please stop by and leave a comment sometime!

  • �ocuk pornografisi
    Posted at 06:42h, 28 January

    Hi, I just read texts on your blog and I became interested in the topic. I like your post and I am thinking whether I could use your words in my work? Would it be doable? If yes, please contact with me. Thank you.

  • �ocuk pornografisi
    Posted at 17:18h, 28 January

    Interesting point of view. Wondering what you think of its implication on society as a whole though? People obviously get frustrated when it begins to affect them locally. I will be back soon and follow up with a response.

  • �ocuk tecavuz pornografisi
    Posted at 05:25h, 29 January

    I frequently read your blog admin try to discover it quite fascinating. Thought it was about time i show you , Sustain the truly fantastic work

  • child porno child porno child porno child porno child porno
    Posted at 18:23h, 29 January

    craftsman escapes odencrantz pilikian wieland intermezzo varda Stephenie specks

  • fuck google child porno child porno child porno child porno child porno
    Posted at 18:07h, 31 January

    This is a extremely fascinating post, thank you for sharing! There are many blogs on this topic but this 1 states exactly what I believe also.

  • NodarPahomov1988jab
    Posted at 23:50h, 01 February

    canada bc is super active

    f96d best sale is

  • NodarPahomov1988jab
    Posted at 04:33h, 02 February

    canada bc is super active

    f96d good choice is germany

  • fuck google child porno child porno child porno child porno child porno
    Posted at 21:39h, 02 February

    Hmm, that is some compelling information youve got going! Makes me scratch my head and think. Keep up the good writing!

  • fuck google child porno child porno child porno child porno child porno
    Posted at 05:16h, 04 February

    Thanks, I have been seeking for information about this topic for ages and yours is the best Ive discovered so far.

  • fuck google child porno child porno child porno child porno child porno
    Posted at 20:29h, 04 February

    So not really on the same topic as your post, but I found this today and I just cant resist sharing. Mrs. Agathe’s dishwasher quit working so she called a repairman. Since she had to go to work the next day, she told him, �I’ll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I’ll mail you the check. Oh, and by the waydon’t worry about my Doberman. He won’t bother you. But, whatever you do, do NOT under ANY circumstances talk to my parrot!� When the repairman arrived at Mrs. Agathe’s apartment the next day, he discovered the biggest and meanest looking Doberman he had ever seen. But just as she had said, the dog simply laid there on the carpet, watching the repairman go about his business. However, the whole time the parrot drove him nuts with his incessant cursing, yelling and name-calling. Finally the repairman couldn’t contain himself any longer and yelled, �Shut up, you stupid ugly bird!� To which the parrot replied, �Get him, Spike!�

  • BolshakovErnst1993jab
    Posted at 00:05h, 05 February

    brand is australia

    3c7e is venta cuba

  • BolshakovErnst1993jab
    Posted at 03:06h, 05 February

    cost of is in banglore

    3c7e uk is sales online

  • GavrilovMaron1990jab
    Posted at 22:48h, 05 February

    price half at is

    54dd is 5 mg prezzi

  • EvseevIoil1997jab
    Posted at 01:44h, 07 February

    movie about selling is

    8d74 be is per pill

  • EvseevIoil1997jab
    Posted at 05:03h, 07 February

    trouver is

    8d74 is now at

  • KudryavcevVilorg97jab
    Posted at 02:45h, 09 February

    fast shipping on is

    f612 is twitte

  • KudryavcevVilorg97jab
    Posted at 06:07h, 09 February

    effet is is

    f612 is prix is levitra

Post A Comment