Offense: Over the course of 20 years, Raines egomaniacally elbowed his way to the top of The New York Times. Soon after his ascent to Executive Editor in 2001, anyone with different views was treated as a dark cloud blocking the light of his vision.

Classic Stumble: In the spring of 2003, reporter Jayson Blair admitted he'd fabricated numerous stories for The New York Times. Blair resigned, but he was only the tip of the iceberg that led to an impeachment for one of the world's most important newspapers. Raines' egotistical management had created chaos, tarnished the good reputation of a prestigious newspaper, and undid years of personal effort and contributions that qualified him for such an influential post.

In response to Raines' self-centered style, the Times culture deteriorated. Employees became unhappy, discouraged and increasingly emotionally distant from the mission of the paper. In turn, that distance shaped the process and quality of their work. Key editors stopped talking to each other. Concerns, ideas and problems were being saved for off-the-record conversations or simply withheld.

Get Over It: Einstein once said, "I don't know everything about anything." None of us do. Great leaders have the ability to say "I know a lot, and I know nothing" at the same time. "I am accomplished, and at the same time, unfinished; talented and average; special, and better than no one; extraordinary and ordinary; popular and unknown; deserving of respect, and no more deserving than another."