Olivier Courtois
The 7 Dysfunctions
Olivier Courtois
Keynote Speaker - Executive Advisor -
Author of The 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders
Why Leaders Fail - And How to Prevent It
Olivier Courtois helps senior leaders identify and overcome the 7 dysfunctions that derail organisations, teams and careers, and destroy performance.
Why Leaders Fail
Most leadership failures do not occur because leaders lack intelligence, experience or ambition.
In fact, many leaders who struggle are highly capable individuals who have achieved significant success throughout their careers.
Yet organisations repeatedly experience similar leadership problems:
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executive teams that avoid difficult conversations
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leaders who gradually become isolated from reality
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organisations that lose clarity about priorities
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talented individuals whose strengths slowly turn into blind spots
These patterns rarely appear suddenly. They tend to develop gradually, often unnoticed, until they begin to affect trust, decision-making and organisational performance.
Over more than three decades working with leaders across industries and continents, I have observed that leadership challenges often emerge from a small number of recurring behavioural dynamics.
These dynamics are not usually visible in leadership models, competency frameworks or organisational charts. They unfold in the everyday interactions between leaders, teams and organisations.
Understanding these patterns is essential because leadership effectiveness is not only a matter of strategy or competence. It is also shaped by how leaders manage their own behaviour, relationships and influence over time.
The framework described in The 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders seeks to make these patterns visible and open them to reflection and conversation.
By recognising these dynamics early, leaders and organisations can often prevent problems that might otherwise grow into deeper organisational dysfunction.
The 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders
Leadership failure rarely comes from lack of intelligence or competence.
It comes from behavioural patterns that remain invisible until they damage teams and organisations.
The 7 Dysfunctions Framework:
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Self-Ignorance
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Isolation
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Poor communication
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Lack of vision
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Dispersion
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Mistrust
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Exhaustion
The Book
In this book, Olivier Courtois explores the hidden patterns that often derail successful leaders and weaken organisations.
Drawing on more than three decades of international leadership advisory work, the book identifies seven recurring dysfunctions that gradually undermine trust, clarity, and performance.
The book offers leaders a practical framework to recognise these risks early and build more resilient leadership.
" Olivier makes becoming a leader easier by demystifying what it takes to be effective in dealing with other people"
Ron Meyer
Professor of strategic leadership, Tilburg University and Antwerp Management School, and managing director,
Centre for Strategy & Leadership
Test Your Leadership Risk Factor Here
Reduce the Risks of Derailing
👎Even the best among us aren't immune to making a bad decision or a misstep. Sometimes, these have no consequences. But sometimes, their impact can be significant, even irreversible, for our teams, our organisations, our careers, and our very lives.
👍So, how can we avoid these pitfalls? How can we effectively reduce the risk of derailing?
Over more than 35 years working with leaders on five continents, he has helped organisations understand the behavioural patterns that shape leadership effectiveness, decision-making and organisational trust.
Earlier in his career, Olivier worked on leadership development and organisational transformation initiatives at Levi Strauss & Co. and later co-founded international consulting activities advising organisations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.
From 2014 to 2019 he served as Director and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry, where he worked with organisations on executive leadership assessment and leadership effectiveness.
These experiences led him to articulate a framework describing the recurring behavioural dynamics that can quietly undermine leadership effectiveness.
These insights are captured in his book The 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders.
Today Olivier works with leaders through keynote speeches, leadership conversations and executive advisory.
About Olivier
How Olivier Works
Keynote Speaking
Thought-provoking keynotes that help leaders recognise the hidden dynamics that can derail success and damage organisations. Olivier’s talks introduce the framework of the 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders and offer practical insights leaders can immediately apply.
Possible additions:
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Leadership conferences
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Executive retreats
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Global leadership meetings
Outcome: leaders leave with a clearer understanding of the risks of leadership derailment and how to prevent them.
Leadership Conversations
Facilitated strategic conversations with leadership teams to surface blind spots, improve trust, and address the organisational dynamics that often remain unspoken.
Typical contexts:
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leadership team off-sites
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post-merger integration
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moments of strategic transition
Outcome: leadership teams gain greater alignment, stronger trust, and a shared understanding of the behaviours that sustain performance.
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Executive Advisory
Confidential advisory work with senior executives facing complex leadership challenges. Drawing on more than three decades of global experience, Olivier helps leaders reflect on critical decisions, leadership transitions, and organisational risks.
Typical topics:
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leadership derailment risks
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senior team dynamics
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strategic leadership decisions
Outcome: clearer judgment, stronger leadership presence, and more sustainable organisational performance.
CEO
"Olivier is an extremely insightful and professional leadership consultant with many years of high level experience. Having closely worked with him I have seen his genuine and strategic approach to this most important aspect business management. He is definitely at the cutting edge of global leadership consulting and I have no reservation of recommending him to anyone who want a real professional."
Testimonies
CCO
"I had the opportunity to work with Olivier during my career, and he's a truly inspirational leader who inspires, coaches, and motivates people, whatever their background, culture, profile, or industry. He has this unique capability to bring people together in a very genuine way. His empathy to understand the business from a 360-degree approach adds value to any company or/people. I enjoyed working with Olivier and would do it again. If your company is looking to raise the bar, he is the one who can help and bring significant and rational results!"
CEO & Executive Development
"Throughout my career at Korn Ferry I had the chance to meet and learn from remarkable individuals. A few people have had a singular impact on me as a person and as a professional. Olivier is one of my top 5 and a constant source of inspiration. Combining personal qualities that are often difficult to reconcile, Olivier knows how to create an environment where it suddenly seems easy to take risks and give the best of yourself. His energy is communicative and helps his partners to move mountains. Thanks Olivier!"
Some organisations Olivier has worked with
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Alpega, Abbott EPD, Abbvie KSA, Allianz Partners, Amgen, Bayer, Candriam (New York Life), Centre de traduction des organes de l'Union européenne (CdT), Conseil de l'Europe, CRIF Deutschland, DGA Digital Government Agency (Royaume d'Arabie Saoudite), Edmond de Rothschild, Enhesa, Ergon Partners, Etihad Airways, Executive Insights Healthcare Consultants, Commission européenne, Henkel, iTeos Therapeutics, GEB Generali, Harman, Hôtel du Palais (Biarritz), Hotels Intercontinental, Hôtel Martinez (Cannes), Imerys, Iveco, JamJoom, Ma'aden, Marafik, Maybourne Hotels, Mc Bride, Menarini, Quintet Private Banking, Peri Group, Perrigo, Rhea, Rockwool, RTBF, Sartorius, Sales & Lentz, Schneider Electric, Société Générale, Satorp (Saudi Aramco/Total Energies), Syngenta, Stellantis Banque, Thalès, Transgene, Umicore, Veolia, VCU Virginia Commonwealth University
Olivier's Certifications
Olivier is certified in several recognised leadership assessment frameworks including Hogan, MBTI, FIRO-B and Korn Ferry Leadership Architect.
Blog Bites
Resources
Please consult our recent articles:
- The Hidden Risks of Executive Dysfunction: A Guide for Board Members
- The Seven Dysfunctions of Executive Teams: Addressing and Overcoming Common Challenges
