Napoleon’s tragic march home from Moscow: lessons in hubris. (2000)

“Using historical material on Napoleon as well as contemporary business examples, they examine the causes of hubris and specific leader behaviors that are likely to result. Guidelines for reducing the incidence of hubris are suggested.

Mark J. Kroll¹, Leslie A. Toombs² & Peter Wright³

1. professor of management and the George W. and Robert S. Pirtle Distinguished Professor in Free Enterprise at The University of Texas at Tyler
2. associate professor of management at The University of Texas at Tyler
3. professor of management and the holder of the University of Memphis Endowed Chair in Free Enterprise Management/

Academy of Management Executive 2000; 14(1): 117-128.

Throughout history, hubris has been cited as a common reason for leadership failure. One of the more famous examples of hubris at work was Napoleon’s Russian campaign of 1812 in which he lost his army and empire. The authors examine the consequences of both Napoleon’s hubris and the hubris of contemporary business executives.

Among the managerial behaviors that may reflect hubris are making unsound and over-priced corporate acquisitions, pursuing growth for its own sake, and knowingly violating the standards of acceptable conduct. Using historical material on Napoleon as well as contemporary business examples, they examine the causes of hubris and specific leader behaviors that are likely to result. Guidelines for reducing the incidence of hubris are suggested.

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