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Why do so many successful guys like Eliot Spitzer just implode?

Rarely is there one reason for such a fall: It could be anything from misplaced priorities to bad decision making, or even a sense of omnipotence. When guys reach a certain level of success, they often find themselves surrounded by people who don't challenge them. That, in turn, fosters a feeling of not necessarily being above the law, but being separate from the rules. They believe they can do what others can't, because they will be protected from the consequences. As a result, their ethical or moral compass loses direction…and you know what happens next.

So how can you avoid a similar fate? Surround yourself with people who give you unvarnished, even brutal, honesty and counsel. You need a colleague or two who won't be afraid to tell you when your behavior is wrong or when your decision making is suspect. Often, these people are old friends or mentors who care about your personal life. Such people will keep you grounded and honest with yourself. It's also an unfortunate fact of business that many powerful guys succumb to the pressures of their own success, allowing very normal (and occasional) moments of self-doubt to blossom into full-blown crises of low self-esteem: Can I maintain my trajectory? Give yourself permission to make mistakes and to be less than perfect.

Gerri King, Ph.D. King is a social psychologist and organizational consultant, and a founding partner of Human Dynamics Associates Inc., in Concord, New Hampshire.

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