What are good leaders? In a 2014 address to the Roman Curia, Pope Francis spoke of the common maladies of people in leadership positions. He spoke frankly, recognizing that even good leaders are susceptible to some unfortunate qualities and behaviors that “weaken the effectiveness” of organizations. He related these to “diseases,” many of which leaders in the corporate world suffer from, as well.

Good Leaders in Corporate World

Gary Hamel of the Harvard Business Review took the time to analyze Pope Francis’s address in detail and was able to extract some critical information. He translated it into corporate-like terms, making it easier to relate to the business world.

Below are the highlights of Pope Francis’s Diseases of Leadership reworked by Hamel:

Thinking we are immortal, immune, or downright indispensable

Thinking we are immortal, immune, or downright indispensable

Excessive busyness

Mental and [emotional] petrification

Excessive planning and of functionalism

Poor coordination

Leadership Alzheimer’s disease

Rivalry and vainglory

Existential schizophrenia

Gossiping, grumbling, and back-biting

Idolizing superiors

Indifference to others

Downcast face

Hoarding

Closed circles

Extravagance and self-exhibition

As difficult as it may be, it is important to recognize that many of us suffer from a few of these “diseases.” Letting go of our bad habits, self-important attitudes, and self-destructive behaviors as leaders will only improve our productivity and make for a strong organization or business.

One of the points that Pope Francis was trying to illustrate to church officials in his speech was that “healthy organizations need healthy leaders,” something that applies to corporations just as much as churches. In working to improve these behaviors, we can reach our full potential as leaders.