https://hbr.org/1998/03/the-set-up-to-fail-syndrome Harvard Business Review Home Subscribe Cart Sign In Hi, Guest [ ] [ ] CLEAR * * * * * * * SUGGESTED TOPICS * * * Explore HBR * Latest * The Magazine * Ascend * Podcasts * Store * Webinars * Newsletters Popular Topics * Managing Yourself * Leadership * Strategy * Managing Teams * Gender * Innovation * Work-life Balance * All Topics For Subscribers * The Big Idea * Data & Visuals * Reading Lists * Case Selections * HBR Learning * Subscribe My Account * My Library * Topic Feeds * Orders * Account Settings * Email Preferences * Log Out * Sign In * * * * Subscribe Latest Podcasts The Magazine Ascend Store Webinars Newsletters All Topics The Big Idea Data & Visuals Reading Lists Case Selections HBR Learning My Library Account Settings Log Out Sign In Your Cart Your Shopping Cart is empty. Visit Our Store Guest User Subscriber My Library Topic Feeds Orders Account Settings Email Preferences Log Out Reading List Reading Lists [HBR_logo_b] Managerial behavior The Set-Up-To-Fail Syndrome How bosses create their own poor performers. by * Jean-Francois Manzoni and * Jean-Louis Barsoux by * Jean-Francois Manzoni and * Jean-Louis Barsoux From the Magazine (March-April 1998) [APR15_02_0] * Post * Post * Share * Annotate * Save * Get PDF * Buy Copies * Print * Post * Post * Share * Annotate * Save * Get PDF * Buy Copies * Print When an employee fails--or even just performs poorly--managers typically do not blame themselves. The employee doesn't understand the work, a manager might contend. Or the employee isn't driven to succeed, can't set priorities, or won't take direction. Whatever the reason, the problem is assumed to be the employee's fault--and the employee's responsibility. A version of this article appeared in the March-April 1998 issue of Harvard Business Review. Read more on Managerial behavior or related topics Talent management and Interpersonal skills * JM Jean-Francois Manzoni is Professor of Leadership and Organizational Development at IMD. His award-winning research on boss-subordinate relationships includes The Set-Up-to-Fail Syndrome: How Good Managers Cause Great People to Fail (with Jean-Louis Barsoux, Harvard Business School Press, 2002). * Jean-Louis Barsoux is a term research professor at IMD and a coauthor of ALIEN Thinking: The Unconventional Path to Breakthrough Ideas (PublicAffairs, 2021). * Post * Post * Share * Annotate * Save * Get PDF * Buy Copies * Print Read more on Managerial behavior or related topics Talent management and Interpersonal skills Partner Center Latest Magazine Ascend Topics Reading Lists Podcasts Store The Big Idea Data & Visuals Case Selections HBR Learning Harvard Business Review Home Subscribe Explore HBR * The Latest * All Topics * Magazine Archive * The Big Idea * Reading Lists * Case Selections * Podcasts * Webinars * Data & Visuals * My Library * Newsletters * HBR Press * HBR Ascend HBR Store * Article Reprints * Books * Cases * Collections * Magazine Issues * HBR Guide Series * HBR 20-Minute Managers * HBR Emotional Intelligence Series * HBR Must Reads * Tools About HBR * Contact Us * Advertise with Us * Information for Booksellers/Retailers * Masthead * Global Editions * Media Inquiries * Guidelines for Authors * HBR Analytic Services * Copyright Permissions Manage My Account * My Library * Topic Feeds * Orders * Account Settings * Email Preferences * Account FAQ * Help Center * Contact Customer Service Follow HBR * Facebook * X Corp. * LinkedIn * Instagram * Your Newsreader Harvard Business Publishing * About Us * Careers * Privacy Policy * Cookie Policy * Copyright Information * Trademark Policy * Terms of Use Harvard Business Publishing: * Higher Education * Corporate Learning * Harvard Business Review * Harvard Business School Copyright (c) Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School. [p]