When we think about leadership risk, we often think of failure, misalignment, or even scandal—after it’s already happened.
But what if the greatest risks are hiding in plain sight—before a leader even steps into the role?
This blog builds on the conversation sparked by Part 1: The Leadership Risk We Can’t Ignore: What Happens When Executives Are Overcommitted? There, we explored the cracks that appear when leaders like Elon Musk are stretched too thin across multiple high-stakes ventures.
But a bigger question remains:
Who is vetting these leaders for the power they hold?
And more importantly—what happens when we don’t?
A Cautionary Case: Musk and DOGE
Elon Musk’s appointment to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is a prime example.
Positioned as a figurehead meant to optimise government operations, Musk reportedly now has an “all-access pass” to sensitive infrastructure, defense networks, and strategic information systems.
Let that sink in:
A private citizen—already leading companies influencing space, AI, transport, and global communications—now holds unprecedented access to national systems and intelligence.
And we’re meant to be okay with that?
We know the new President said “make it so,” but that raises urgent questions:
- Was there a rigorous, independent vetting process?
- What checks and balances were introduced?
- Who considered the potential for conflict of interest or overreach?
- And what happens when Musk inevitably leaves or transitions out of the role?
Because when someone has access to everything—you can’t just roll it back.
You can’t “unsee” or “unknow” classified intelligence.
If those questions weren’t fully explored, this isn’t just a leadership gamble—it’s a systemic risk.
The Real Risk: It’s Not Just About Musk
Let’s be clear—this isn’t about attacking Musk.
It’s about a dangerous pattern playing out in organisations everywhere, where:
- Charisma is mistaken for credibility
- Urgency overrides process
- Scrutiny takes a back seat to optics
It’s not just a government issue.
It’s happening across corporate, not-for-profit, education, and health sectors:
- High-profile names get fast-tracked
- Leadership personas are elevated without clear evidence of alignment
- Vetting is reduced to backchannel endorsements and brand reputation
When organisations skip proper evaluation, they’re not just courting risk—they’re compounding it.
The Problem with Skipping the Hard Questions
When was the last time your board or executive team asked:
- Are we appointing this person based on merit or momentum?
- Do we understand their leadership instincts and predispositions?
- What’s our framework to assess behavioural risk?
- Could this appointment unintentionally create power imbalances or governance gaps?
If those questions feel uncomfortable—that’s exactly why they need to be asked.
Avoiding discomfort is how risk festers.
A Risk Rebel Reframe: From Blind Spots to Better Decisions
Leadership appointments shape futures—or scandals.
Hand over power without asking the hard questions, and don’t be surprised when it explodes into a headline that breaks trust—for everyone involved.
The DOGE example reminds us:
- Power without scrutiny leads to exposure
- Speed without structure leads to missteps
- Charisma without accountability leads to crisis
But there’s another way.
By introducing frameworks like S4R (Unearth’s System4Risk) early in the appointment process, leaders and boards can:
- Uncover hidden biases and blind spots
- Identify stress points before they become problems
- Align roles with purpose, capacity, and values—not just profile or PR
This isn’t about avoiding bold leaders.
It’s about supporting them with the right structure—so they can succeed without becoming a risk.
What’s Next: Part 3 – A Leadership Risk Lens in Action
Coming exclusively to subscribers of Unearth Risk Insights, we’ll apply Unearth’s S4R model to Elon Musk’s leadership exposure—specifically through the lens of his DOGE appointment.
This isn’t about blame.
It’s about foresight.
Because when you understand a leader’s predisposition, pressures, and behavioural patterns, you don’t just assess risk—you stay ahead of it.
And better yet, you can set your new leaders up for success from day one.
We’ll also share follow-up insights if new revelations from Musk’s DOGE tenure unfold.
Want to see how S4R helps anticipate leadership risk—before it becomes a crisis?
Subscribe to Unearth Risk Insights – for practical tools, deep dives, and clear-eyed leadership perspectives.
Or reach out to explore how S4R can elevate your vetting, onboarding, and executive decision-making processes.
Because the real risk isn’t what’s hidden—It’s what gets ignored.
Risk Rebels – What Say You?
Are your leadership decisions shaped by charisma—or anchored in clarity?
