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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children

Published on: March 1, 2019

Stop holding yourself back.

Anne Morriss¹, Robin J Ely, Frances X Frei

¹Concire Leadership Institute, USA. amorriss@concire.com

Harvard Business Review

|March 5, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Many individuals hinder their leadership potential by prioritizing personal goals, image, and isolation. Overcoming these self-imposed barriers is crucial for developing exceptional leadership skills and unlocking talent.

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Area of Science:

Organizational Psychology
Leadership Studies

Background:

Many professionals face challenges in reaching their full leadership potential.
Common obstacles include self-imposed barriers that impede growth.

Purpose of the Study:

To identify common barriers preventing managers from becoming exceptional leaders.
To illustrate how overcoming these barriers can unlock leadership potential.

Main Methods:

Analysis of case studies and research involving hundreds of leaders globally.
Qualitative examination of leadership behaviors and their outcomes.

Main Results:

Five key barriers identified: overemphasizing personal goals, protecting public image, dehumanizing competitors, working in isolation, and awaiting permission.
Examples demonstrate how overcoming these barriers leads to successful leadership outcomes.

Conclusions:

Exceptional leadership requires an active decision to lead, moving beyond self-imposed limitations.
Addressing these common barriers is essential for individual and organizational success.