How can leaders resist the ego-inflation that comes with praise and status?

In episode 248 of At The Table, Pat and Cody reflect on the viral Coldplay kiss cam scandal—not to sensationalize it, but to draw important leadership lessons from it. They explore the dangers of ego, power, and isolation for leaders, particularly those who fail to stay grounded in their home life and faith.

Topics explored in this episode:

(0:56) When Praise Becomes Poison

* Why the Coldplay incident is more than just clickbait—it’s a cautionary tale.

(6:44) How Leaders Lose Their Way

* "Reward-centered" versus "responsibility-centered" leadership mindsets.

* Leaders often start believing praise, inflating their sense of entitlement.

(9:08) Home vs. Work

* Praise and affirmation at work can distort leaders’ expectations at home.

* Leaders become vulnerable when they fail to invest emotionally in their families.

(14:20) Guardrails and Hard Truths

* Say out loud that your family is more important than work—and mean it.

(20:26) Building a Life That’s Enough

* Practical ways to reconnect with your spouse and share a vision at home.

This episode of At The Table with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

At The Table is a podcast that lives at the connection between work life, leadership, organizational health, and culture. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth and http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

248. Leadership Lessons From the Kisscam