“In the long history of poor management decisions made at major American companies, only a few proved to be fatal. It is hard to ruin a company with a single decision. That is especially true when the company has the advantages of huge market share, large and rising revenue, and a history of success. But not all bad decisions are created equal. 24/7 Wall St. set out to identify the worst business decisions of all time. These decisions cost these companies billions of dollars and, eventually, their independence.”

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But while the bad management decisions topple companies, wreck investors’ hopes, dismantle workers’ lives … those at the top always come out unscathed or fattened with golden parachute bonuses. What kind of system is that? The mark of entrepreneurial leadership is risk … for the entrepreneur!

The homeless and out-of-work of the Depression in line for shelter in New York. (Bettman/Corbis) PHOTO SOURCE: boston.com

Here is the 24/7 Wall St. article with the worst business decisions of all time.