Rethinking Leadership: Why Incompetent Men Still Lead

Have you ever worked for someone who wasn’t as good as they thought? Chances are, they were male. In his TEDx talk, organisational psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic tackles a pressing question: Why do so many incompetent men become leaders? His insights reveal how flawed perceptions of confidence, charisma, and narcissism contribute to poor leadership choices across business and politics.

Confidence vs. Competence: The Great Misjudgment

One of the primary reasons incompetent men rise to leadership is our tendency to equate confidence with competence. Many people assume that those who project confidence have the skills to lead, but research suggests otherwise. Confidence is merely how good someone thinks they are, while competence is how good they actually are.

Chamorro-Premuzic points out that men are generally more deceived about their abilities than women. This self-deception is contagious—when someone believes in themselves without real ability, others are more likely to believe in them, too. Unfortunately, this often results in leadership positions being filled by individuals who lack real expertise.

The Charisma Trap

The second issue stems from our obsession with charismatic leaders. The media and society at large tend to reward charm and entertainment value over humility and effectiveness. We glorify leaders who exude confidence and a magnetic presence, but this doesn’t necessarily translate into good decision-making.

History is filled with examples of highly charismatic leaders who ultimately led their organisations or countries into disaster. Meanwhile, some of the most effective leaders—those who are humble, prepared, and rational—are often overlooked simply because they don’t fit the dramatic leadership archetype that society craves.

The Rise of Narcissistic Leaders

Another key factor is our attraction to narcissistic individuals. People who exhibit grandiose visions, self-importance, and a strong belief in their own greatness tend to captivate the masses. Social media and the digital age have only amplified this phenomenon, making it easier for narcissists to gain influence.

Many leadership training programs and self-help philosophies even encourage narcissism with slogans like “Believe in yourself no matter what” and “Don’t worry about what others think.” While confidence is important, unchecked narcissism leads to entitlement, reckless decision-making, and a lack of empathy—qualities that can be destructive in leadership roles.

How to Choose Better Leaders

So, how do we stop incompetent men from dominating leadership? Chamorro-Premuzic suggests two key solutions:

1. Redefine Leadership Qualities – Instead of prioritising confidence, charisma, and self-promotion, organisations should value competence, humility, and integrity. Research shows that these traits are more commonly found in women than in men, meaning that shifting leadership criteria would naturally lead to more female leaders and, more importantly, better leaders overall.

2. Challenge Our Biases – Many people rely on intuition when selecting leaders, but intuition is often flawed. Instead of making decisions based on first impressions, media appearances, or gut feelings, we should use objective criteria to evaluate leadership ability. This means focusing less on interviews and more on measurable past performance and leadership effectiveness.

Raising the Standard for Leadership

One of the most critical takeaways from Chamorro-Premuzic’s talk is that we should not lower standards to increase female representation in leadership. Instead, we should raise the standards for selecting male leaders. Women shouldn’t have to mimic incompetent male behaviors—like excessive self-promotion or unjustified confidence—to succeed.

By shifting our focus from superficial qualities to real leadership ability, we can create workplaces and governments led by individuals who are genuinely capable of guiding others. The solution starts with all of us—if we want better leaders, we must first become better at identifying them.

A Call for Smarter Leadership Choices

Chamorro-Premuzic’s talk is a powerful reminder that many of our leadership problems stem from our flawed perception of what makes a great leader. By prioritising competence over confidence, humility over charisma, and integrity over narcissism, we can move towards a future where leadership is truly earned rather than simply assumed.

The next time you find yourself choosing a leader—whether at work, in politics, or beyond—ask yourself: Am I drawn to this person’s actual abilities, or am I being swayed by their confidence and charm? The answer might just change everything.