Leslie Pratch on Psychological Autonomy in Leadership

A licensed clinical psychologist with a Ph.D from Northwestern University, Leslie Pratch devotes her time to assessing what makes a successful and effective business leader. In

fact, Ms. Pratch authored a book that evaluates the psychology of high-functioning individuals

and explains how to predict the performance of a business executive.

What follows is a brief excerpt from her forthcoming book, provisionally titled Good on

Paper:

“Psychological autonomy involves the ability to step back from the immediate pressures of the

business and of the demands of board members, customers, suppliers, media, and

management. It is a difficult balance to achieve and requires considerable self awareness and awareness of others. It is a quality possessed by an effective diplomat, a good statesman, a

good lawyer, and a good investor.

To have psychological autonomy you must first be aware of internal and external pressures that might influence your views and ability to make critical decisions. An internal pressure could be the compulsion to be perfect or the insatiable need to gain validation from other people. An external pressure could be a self-centered,

manipulative boss demanding to have his own way or a tyrannical regime that forbids freedom of expression and choice. A person who lacks

the freedom to choose how to act is more prone to capitulate to groupthink, fads, or inner

compulsions (such as the compulsion to win).”