Lessons for Leaders from Elizabeth Holmes
The final episode of The Dropout, the Hulu series about the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her company Theranos, hit screens recently. The series is based on the popular podcast of the same name and features Amanda Seyfried channeling the black turtleneck-wearing, Steve Jobs-fawning, doe-eyed, unblinking, Stanford dropout Elizabeth Holmes. In her 2021 trial for multiple counts of fraud, it became the feminine suit-wearing, recent mother, loving daughter and partner, victim of interpersonal abuse, but then convicted felon Elizabeth Holmes.
Even 20/20 did a special on the series and the scandal.
So what exactly does a former CEO, college dropout, convicted fraudster have to teach us about leadership?
Plenty. And it may seem basic, but apparently from all of the apologists for Elizabeth Holmes and similar leaders for many years, it still needs to be said.
1. Don’t Lie
This is the lesson we’re supposed to learn as children, but for some it never sticks. And we excuse in our minds the “white lie” or “fudge” and “exaggeration” or “hyperbole.”…
