Even at the most respected companies that follow meticulous succession processes, well-suited candidates may not even make it into the shortlist because they get overshadowed by “safe” or “chosen” candidates, according to a Harvard Business Review report.
The report identifies three reasons companies often pick the wrong leaders.
Likability, it turns out, counts more than it should. Research shows that highly decisive leaders are 12 times more likely to excel as CEOs, but they tend to ruffle feathers. Their performance reviews might include statements such as "doesn't play nice in the sandbox" and "needs to soften her approach."