The Crisis of Leadership in Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions

Most organizations are managed rather than led. This is a common problem in business, but the problem gets compounded in merging organizations.

The broad array of changes experienced by merging firms destabilizes corporate life. The resulting confusion and stress call for leadership. The change also creates an opening for leadership. Managers need to realize that this can be their finest hour. Simultaneously with this growing need for high caliber leaders, though, the amount and quality of leader-like behavior diminishes.

Invariably there is some shuffling of people, with managers being recast in key roles. But sometimes that activity itself becomes part of the problem instead of part of the solution.

What Is Leadership?...