Back to Why Smart Executives Fail: Common Mistakes & Warning Signs
Dartmouth College

Why Smart Executives Fail: Common Mistakes & Warning Signs

We don’t often talk about mistakes and failures, but there’s so much to learn from what goes wrong. In this course, Professor Sydney Finkelstein will teach you why leaders make mistakes, and what you can do to avoid making those same mistakes yourself. Using real-life examples of smart executives who failed, Professor Finkelstein will walk you through scenarios that prepare you to understand, manage, and even take advantage of the continuous change that is inevitable in organizations and in life.

Status: Business Ethics
Status: Accountability
BeginnerCourse17 hours

Featured reviews

MC

5.0Reviewed Dec 23, 2023

Powerful! Using Coursera's "Coach" AI to add in some extended histories, like those of Schwinn, etc., further amplified the important concepts expressed by this excellent instructor. Thank you!

LM

5.0Reviewed Jul 5, 2024

The content is interesting and easy to learn. The course supports self evaluation. I learned more about myself and my own leadership style and the critical areas where I can strive to be better.

MS

5.0Reviewed Jul 6, 2022

The course helped me a lot in understanding organisational behaviours. Being a general manager of an educational institution my skills of managing has been enhanced exponentiolly. Thank you!

CS

5.0Reviewed Oct 31, 2023

Excellent presentation and delivery. Outstanding explanations and supporting examples. Timing on videos was solid, good supporting visuals.

LK

5.0Reviewed May 31, 2023

Such a great course! The professor, Dr. Finkelstein, presents the information in an incredibly clear and practical manner.

RH

5.0Reviewed Mar 23, 2023

Covers many insightful lessons. The Professor's storytelling skill is impressive, very easy to follow and understand all points delivered. Very good, especially if we don't skip the assignments.

RM

5.0Reviewed Jun 30, 2026

This course has been extremely helpful in identifying ways to better assess why current leadership style and where improvements could be made and adjusted.

JT

5.0Reviewed Nov 2, 2022

Great case studies to help you understand the material. Gives a holistic view as to the traps you need to avoid and how some very successful people fall victim to them. Good eye opener.

VS

5.0Reviewed Dec 15, 2023

An amazing course that highlights core aspects of business that most of us ignore as we become complacent and lead the business to its downfall.

TH

5.0Reviewed Feb 5, 2023

The instructor, Sydney, is EXCELLENT. Enjoyable course for Individual Contributors, Managers, and Leaders alike for sure.

AS

4.0Reviewed Mar 27, 2024

While i was doing this course i get to know many things and it really help me in my future scope and goal and i found it really nice

NB

5.0Reviewed Apr 23, 2022

Sydney was great at painting the complete picture and engaging. I enjoyed every module of this course and learned a lot.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 118

Jennifer Reichart
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Reviewed Apr 23, 2022
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Reviewed May 8, 2022
Nicole Branson
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4.0
Reviewed Jul 25, 2022
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دنيا أبو حميد
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Reviewed Jun 26, 2026
Maria Villalba
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Reviewed May 4, 2023