The term draws on the biblical story of the legendary hero, King David, who used his power to have a sexual relationship with the beautiful Bathsheba. After she became pregnant, David attempted to get her husband and loyal warrior, Uriah the Hittite, to have intercourse with his wife, but Uriah refused. David then sent Uriah off to war with orders to place him in the front line "so he will be struck down and die." (2 Samuel 11).
According to the authors who coined the term, Bathsheba Syndrome, many managers are not prepared for success. And the ethical training at the time was not effective. In their analyses, poorly prepared managers had the following conditions, which led to ethical problems.
1. They became complacent and distracted from their work.
2. They had access to privileged information, people or objects (and presumably were not prepared to adequately handle this privilege).
3. They had increasing control over their organization's resources.
4. They began to believe that their personality was linked to control over business outcomes.
For a longer commentary on Bathsheba Syndrome and leadership failure, see Donelson Forsyth (2011).
On the one hand, by today's standards, the labeling of the concept as Bathsheba Syndrome is sexist and perpetuates the men-as-leaders expectation. Also, by putting the focus on the woman as in "Bathsheba," the focus is unfairly diverted from what could be called the "King David Syndrome." On the other hand, given the frequent news stories of male leaders sexually harassing female supervisees, perhaps the term fits well for a substantial number of work places.
I suggest another term. The "Leadership Entitlement Syndrome." Leaders, regardless of gender, need ways to manage success in the best interests of their organization. And many need structures (training, accountability, policies) to manage their sexuality.
For a consideration of sexuality and morality in Christian cultures, see A House Divided
Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is www.suttong.com
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