The “Autistic” Executive

Abstract

The first five examples I have written about are dysfunctional types who can be difficult, but also quite charismatic. They don’t leave you emotionally untouched. But some executives present a very different profile: for them it is their lack of emotional reactiveness, rather than an excess of it, that gives rise to problems.

If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far.

—Daniel Goleman

I’ve had it with you and your emotional constipation!

—Washington Irving

I don’t have anything against my mom, but my family has no emotional connection to each other.

—Adam Carolla