The Illusion of Leadership: How White Men’s Ego and Incompetence Are Failing Business and Society

The Jig is up! There’s an unspoken truth that lingers in the room—a quiet elephant no one wants to address. Why is it so difficult to have an honest conversation about the role of white men in leadership and whether they’ve truly ever earned their positions/roles as leaders? Instead of confronting the issue, society makes excuses, avoids reflection, and ignores the root causes of systemic failure. Why isn’t the world critically analyzing the faces behind so-called “leadership” and the dynamics that allow white men to dominate these roles? We seriously need a change in thinking and start addressing the core of many of the world's issues. Beginning with leadership.

It’s baffling that so many are willing to tiptoe around the glaring failures of these leaders. I can't say its all white men that make poor leaders but its many of them. Why aren’t we loudly calling out their actions and behaviors? White men in power often gaslight themselves into believing they are the best, even as they leave a trail of destruction in their wake. Everything they touch seems to turn to chaos, yet they continue to hold positions of influence. They master in spinning the story and creating narratives that push most to look the other way. They create and excuse their own behavior "all for the greater good" while essentially acting for their own personal gain. This is an issue I’ve been deeply examining, and the more I explore it, the more troubling it becomes.

White men in leadership often position themselves as "saviors", and "heroes", yet they are the very ones perpetuating and creating the problems they claim to solve. Look at government, politics, and even the state of our planet. Its everywhere! Why is there so much suffering, even for those who look like you? The answers lie in the way leadership has been weaponized as a tool for the white male ego and personal gain. These "leaders" use their positions to enrich themselves, taking far more than they need, all to impress other men, sex access, ego rubs, "thataboys". Their focus is not on giving back to humanity or fostering community but will absolutely use these words to leverage their personal needs—it’s on maintaining power and status without accountability. 

This self-serving approach to leadership is a detriment to humanity. Why aren’t we objectively evaluating their business practices and the impact of their decisions? With nearly every industry in a state of failure, how can we continue to believe that white men are the best for the job? Have you ever heard white men take real accountability followed by action to change such actions or behaviors? What about self accountability and see more of these men move themselves out the way when realizing their not fit for the role? Have you ever heard any white man express how they aren't actually suited for the role? 

From my firsthand experience, many white men in leadership roles lack even basic knowledge of the industries they oversee and desire to be leaders in. They rely on buzzwords and jargon, sending businesses into endless cycles of unproductive activity under the guise of “keeping busy.” While imposing harm with no accountability on those they "lead". When I say buzzwords and jargon, its the desire to talk above to sound like they know, while not really having the answers or solutions. 

True progress is rarely the goal; instead, it’s about maintaining the illusion of productivity while achieving little. This pattern of ineptitude and self-interest is impossible to ignore once you see it. It’s time for humanity to rethink how we view and conduct business. Along with the standards and expectations of elected and positioned leaders. Why do we allow a small group of white men at the top to wield so much power while they lack integrity and accountability? They want wealth and prestige without the responsibility that comes with it. Their leadership is not about serving others—it’s about serving themselves.

In future posts, I plan to delve deeper into this topic, as it’s one that demands attention. The current system is broken, and it’s up to us to challenge it and begin to create new systems as these current systems continue to fall. We must demand accountability, equity, and true leadership that prioritizes the well-being of people and the planet over ego and greed. The time for change is NOW.