Olivier Courtois
The 7 Dysfunctions
Olivier Courtois
Keynote Speaker - Executive Advisor
Author of The 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders
Every organisation invests in leadership. Few ask whether it's actually changing how people lead.
Olivier Courtois works with senior leaders and leadership teams to close that gap — through keynotes, strategic conversations, and executive advisory, built on more than 35 years of experience across five continents.
Judgement, not knowledge
Leadership rarely fails because people lack knowledge. Today's leaders have access to more books, models, and programmes than any generation before them. They leave with pages of notes and good intentions — and the real challenges are still there when they get back to work.
Over more than three decades, I've come to believe that what's missing isn't information. It's judgement: the ability to make sense of a specific, complex situation, under pressure, with specific people — and choose an appropriate way forward.
That's why I start with the business problem in front of a leader or a team, not a curriculum. Frameworks and models have their place, but they're instruments for interpreting reality — not the destination.
A short introduction to the idea behind this work
About Olivier
Over more than 35 years working with leaders on five continents, he has helped organisations understand the behavioural patterns that shape leadership effectiveness, decision-making and organisational trust.
Earlier in his career, Olivier worked on leadership development and organisational transformation initiatives at Levi Strauss & Co. and later co-founded international consulting activities advising organisations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.
From 2014 to 2019 he served as Director and Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry, where he worked with organisations on executive leadership assessment and leadership effectiveness.
These experiences led him to articulate a framework describing the recurring behavioural dynamics that can quietly undermine leadership effectiveness.
These insights are captured in his book The 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders.
Today Olivier works with leaders through keynote speeches, leadership conversations and executive advisory.
Olivier is certified in several recognised leadership assessment frameworks including Hogan, MBTI, FIRO-B and Korn Ferry Leadership Architect.
Olivier's certifications
Strengths and blind spots come from the same place
Most leadership failures don't come from a lack of intelligence, ambition, or effort. In fact, many leaders who struggle are highly capable people who've had real success.
That's the paradox: the same qualities that make someone an effective leader — decisiveness, drive, self-belief, the ability to hold a room — are very often the seeds of what eventually derails them, if left unexamined. Success doesn't remove that risk. It tends to hide it, because the behaviour is still being rewarded.
These patterns rarely appear suddenly. They build gradually — in avoided conversations, growing isolation, lost clarity about priorities — until they start affecting trust, decision-making, and performance.
The 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders framework exists to make these patterns visible early, before they become costly.
Test your leadership risk factor here
The 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders
Leadership failure rarely comes from lack of intelligence or competence.
It comes from behavioural patterns that remain invisible until they damage teams and organisations.
The 7 Dysfunctions Framework:
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Self-Ignorance
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Isolation
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Poor communication
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Lack of vision
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Dispersion
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Mistrust
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Exhaustion
The book
In this book, Olivier Courtois explores the hidden patterns that often derail successful leaders and weaken organisations.
Drawing on more than three decades of international leadership advisory work, the book identifies seven recurring dysfunctions that gradually undermine trust, clarity, and performance.
The book offers leaders a practical framework to recognise these risks early and build more resilient leadership.
" Olivier makes becoming a leader easier by demystifying what it takes to be effective in dealing with other people"
Ron Meyer
Professor of strategic leadership, Tilburg University and Antwerp Management School, and managing director,
Centre for Strategy & Leadership
How Olivier works
Keynote Speaking
For organisations where leadership gaps are already affecting execution, trust, or momentum
Thought-provoking keynotes that help leaders recognise the hidden dynamics that can derail success and damage organisations. Olivier’s talks introduce the framework of the 7 Dysfunctions of Leaders and offer practical insights leaders can immediately apply.
Possible additions:
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Leadership conferences
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Executive retreats
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Global leadership meetings
Outcome: leaders leave with a clearer understanding of the risks of leadership derailment and how to prevent them.
Strategic Conversations
For leadership teams navigating a specific transition, not development for its own sake
Facilitated strategic conversations with leadership teams to surface blind spots, improve trust, and address the organisational dynamics that often remain unspoken.
Typical contexts:
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leadership team off-sites
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post-merger integration
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moments of strategic transition
Outcome: leadership teams gain greater alignment, stronger trust, and a shared understanding of the behaviours that sustain performance.
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Executive Advisory
Applied to the specific decision or transition a leader is facing, not a generic coaching relationship
Confidential advisory work with senior executives facing complex leadership challenges. Drawing on more than three decades of global experience, Olivier helps leaders reflect on critical decisions, leadership transitions, and organisational risks.
Typical topics:
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leadership derailment risks
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senior team dynamics
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strategic leadership decisions
Outcome: clearer judgment, stronger leadership presence, and more sustainable organisational performance.
CEO
"Olivier is an extremely insightful and professional leadership consultant with many years of high level experience. Having closely worked with him I have seen his genuine and strategic approach to this most important aspect business management. He is definitely at the cutting edge of global leadership consulting and I have no reservation of recommending him to anyone who want a real professional."
Testimonials
CCO
"I had the opportunity to work with Olivier during my career, and he's a truly inspirational leader who inspires, coaches, and motivates people, whatever their background, culture, profile, or industry. He has this unique capability to bring people together in a very genuine way. His empathy to understand the business from a 360-degree approach adds value to any company or/people. I enjoyed working with Olivier and would do it again. If your company is looking to raise the bar, he is the one who can help and bring significant and rational results!"
CEO & Executive Development
"Throughout my career at Korn Ferry I had the chance to meet and learn from remarkable individuals. A few people have had a singular impact on me as a person and as a professional. Olivier is one of my top 5 and a constant source of inspiration. Combining personal qualities that are often difficult to reconcile, Olivier knows how to create an environment where it suddenly seems easy to take risks and give the best of yourself. His energy is communicative and helps his partners to move mountains. Thanks Olivier!"
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
Abbott EPD • Abbvie KSA • Amgen • Bayer • Flindr Tx • iTeos Therapeutics • Menarini • Perrigo • Sartorius • Syngenta • Transgene • Executive Insights Healthcare Consultants
Financial Services, Banking & Insurance
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank • Allianz Partners • Candriam (New York Life) • CRIF Deutschland • Edmond de Rothschild • Generali (GEB) • Quintet Private Banking • Société Générale • Stellantis Bank
Energy, Mining & Utilities
Ma'aden • Marafik • Satorp (Saudi Aramco / TotalEnergies) • Veolia
Industrial
Manufacturing & Materials
Henkel • Imerys • Iveco • McBride • Peri Group • Rockwool • Tarkett • Umicore
Technology, Electronics & Engineering
Harman • Rhea • Schneider Electric • Thalès
Transport & Mobility
Etihad Airways • Sales & Lentz
Hospitality & Luxury Hotels
Hôtel du Palais (Biarritz) • Hôtel Martinez (Cannes) • Intercontinental Hotels • Maybourne Hotels
Consulting, Professional Services & Software
Alpega • Enhesa • Ergon Partners •
Executive Insights Healthcare Consultants
Public Sector & International Institutions
Commission européenne • Centre de traduction des organes de l'Union européenne (CdT) • Conseil de l'Europe • DGA Digital Government Agency (Saudi Arabia) • EDQM • RTBF
Education
VCU Virginia Commonwealth University
Direct Access
The 90-Minute Strategic Laser Session
Sometimes, you don’t need a six-month consulting engagement. You need 35+ years of global experience applied to a single, high-stakes decision.
These focused sessions provide the space to go deep, offering immediate clarity for leaders navigating organisational dysfunction, complex team dynamics, or executive derailment.
Strategic Leadership Session - 1,000€
Have a few questions first?
Let’s start a leadership conversation.
A short introductory call to discuss your challenges and explore new perspectives.
Blog bites
Resources
Please consult our recent articles:
- The Hidden Risks of Executive Dysfunction: A Guide for Board Members
- The Seven Dysfunctions of Executive Teams: Addressing and Overcoming Common Challenges
