I thought I had the framework of Faux Leadership™ nailed down: the performative connection, the surface‑level competence, the optics‑over‑outcomes mindset. But as I received feedback and reflected on what is too often a leadership fatal flaw, I realized I missed something essential... something that explains why these leaders can look polished, sound convincing, and still leave a trail of confusion, distrust, and exhaustion behind them. I missed the role of character, and whe