The Myth of the Perfectly Rational Executive
They told him to “check his emotions at the door.” He told them that was absurd. After 20 years in HR, Darren Kanthal realized the C-suite is just as dysfunctional as every other level — they’re just better at hiding it.
Key Takeaways
- The C-suite isn’t above dysfunction. The higher you go, the more sophisticated the dysfunction becomes — but it’s still dysfunction. Politics, ego, avoidance, and poor communication don’t disappear at the top.
- Emotional suppression is the real problem. “Check your emotions at the door” is the worst leadership advice ever given. Leaders who suppress emotions don’t eliminate them — they just make them harder to read and more destructive.
- HR sees everything. 20 years in HR gave Darren a front-row seat to how organizations actually work (and don’t). That perspective is invaluable as a coach.
Questions Explored
- What do 20 years in HR teach you about executive leadership?
- Why is the “check your emotions at the door” advice so damaging?
- How do you coach C-suite leaders through their own dysfunction?
About Darren Kanthal
Darren is an executive coach and former HR leader who specializes in helping leaders embrace their full humanity at work. His 20 years inside organizations gave him a unique understanding of what actually drives — and derails — executive performance.