I’m sitting at Dulles Airport on my way to Okinawa, not exactly proximate. So awaiting 1st leg at Gate Z10 (who even knew Z gates existed?), I read 3 separate articles in NYTimes that are intertwined and message on leadership. Start with this from an interview of Prof. Anita Hill. She states: “Leadership at the top, on any issue, in any institution, is what changes the game.” Then turn to piece on p. B7 about mistakes.The author observed that we stick to things that don’t work (ed leaders of failing colleges, wake up!) because of “commitment bias.”We cling to prior behavior because our egos don’t like to be embarrassed. Then turn to piece on Boeing on p. B6 where Boeing CEO said company made a “mistake” relative to handling of the absent warning light in some Max jets. It kept problem secret. Now combine these pieces. Boeing made a set of errors. Surely that showed commitment bias. Change requires a new leader. Bottom line: Boeing’s leader isn’t for change. Colleges w/ leaders who replicate past approaches are doomed. Boards need to get a change leader if they want change, someone who’ll overcome commitment bias. It took 3 articles to make 1 key point: fire leaders who aren’t change agents when you need change.Otherwise you will have a paper house, like one pictured. …see more