Maxine Harris, PhD, Co-author, Lessons for Non-Profit and Start-Up Leaders

Self-awareness is seen as an essential component of having healthy relationships and of achieving success in any organization. Every year, businesses of all types and sizes spend resources and what can be as much as tens of thousands of dollars (depending on the size of the organization) to help top-level managers attain a better awareness of how they see themselves and how they are seen by others. Techniques such as staff retreats; individual coaching and supervision; and 360 evaluations in which employees receive feedback from peers, as well as from those above and below them in the organization, are all used in the quest for making leaders more self-aware.

Charles E. Goslin, UNDERSTANDING PERSONAL SECURITY AND RISK: A Guide For Business Travelers

The Corporate CEO is quite often compared to the captain of the ship.  The CEO’s judgements and decisions rendered regarding the company's course in business, and care for its valuable assets that move the “company ship” towards its goal should be sound and consistent.   At least, one would hope. 

Poor judgement, inconsistency and questionable logic have caused more corporations to go under, their CEOs fired, or resigned in disgrace.   These fatal flaws all represent a misunderstanding or minimization of risk to a business.