The Roman Emperor Caligula was self-deluding and probably insane. His behaviour was cruel, capricious and depraved. He killed people for amusement; he dressed as a god and expected to be worshipped as one; he bankrupted the state; and, indulged in vile personal habits. Few modern leaders enjoy his freedom of action. However, each of us needs to check for tell-tale signs, which could lead to our under-performance or downfall. Here are four things to avoid. Caligula set a high bar but would colleagues say you exhibit even slight traces of these faults?

Excessive self-belief: a leader needs to be assured and act decisively. However, don't become like Caligula or Kim Jong-Il of North Korea, who believe they have superior knowledge and decision-making ability despite lack of supporting evidence. On your team, how many people will question your opinions, offer contrary views or suggest other options? More positively, do you seek out other perspectives and evidence to check your thinking?

Irrational decisions: Caligula wanted to make his favourite horse, Incitatus, a consul. He also saw the sea-god, Neptune, as an enemy he needed to fight. Are your decisions sometimes self-deluding or driven by vanity rather than facts - such as wanting to make a big show or settle a score? Do you see conspiracies where there are none? How, in fact, do you currently ensure you're keeping personal biases from contaminating your business decisions?

Unfair treatment: Napoleon, like many emperors, favoured his family regardless of merit and seated them on thrones across Europe. Do you similarly favour close colleagues over those from other areas or with different (and possibly better) credentials? Do you disdain or bully people with different values? Do you divide and rule? Who acts as your conscience and truth-teller? Who could you ask to play this role?

Undue entitlement: Caligula, like many hereditary leaders, regarded the state and its wealth as his personal possessions. Unlike his predecessors, he expected all the titles and adulation they'd enjoyed (at the end of a reign) without having proved his value to the state in either battle or civil administration. Do you expect that? Like a potentate, do you sometimes treat corporate resources as your own - overspending or being extravagant?

In most Western countries these days, political and business leaders are unlikely to be assassinated. They may lose an election or promotion; or, be forced to resign. But they continue to live a free and enjoyable life. Caligula like many of his kind died at the point of a sword. Which seems a reasonable comeuppance given his appalling actions.

But what of us? If we're absolutely honest with ourselves, what would Fate dictate as our punishment for our own leadership blindness or self-indulgences? More importantly, what are the three most obvious things we each need to correct? I'll write down mine. Perhaps you could do the same - or, if you prefer, make a comment below.