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The real tragedy of the human condition is not that we all must die, but, rather, that we choose to live by grand illusions, rather than to face our fears. Hence, we fall into the clutches of toxic leaders who promise us the moon, knowing full well they cannot deliver. In the worst of all cases, toxic leaders fall under the spell of their own grand illusions and believe that they can.



~ Jean Lipman-Blumen, The Allure of Toxic Leaders : Why We Follow Destructive Bosses and Corrupt Politicians—and How We Can Survive Them

What is the difference between a grand illusion and a noble vision?

Leaders aren't just heads of governments and corporations. Leaders can be the dominant person in a social group, the head of a cult, the organizer of a non-profit, a rock star etc. We are surrounded by different types of leaders and quite often it seems that the most toxic people are the biggest winners. It's tempting to stray from the path of "do no harm" when you see bad guys winning social credit all the time.

koan;1382880 wrote:



Leaders aren't just heads of governments and corporations. Leaders can be the dominant person in a social group, the head of a cult, the organizer of a non-profit, a rock star etc. We are surrounded by different types of leaders and quite often it seems that the most toxic people are the biggest winners. It's tempting to stray from the path of "do no harm" when you see bad guys winning social credit all the time.


Rock stars etc are different things to different people.

For example.... Just because a young girl aspires to Amy Whinehouse, In some eyes. that would be a toxic example because they see the drug addled, anorexic cart horse. The young girl merely see's the beautiful voice and writing genious of her music.

Thus... Who decides who is toxic or not? You are merely forcing your opinion of someone onto others. It's not the young girl who Idolises Amy Whinehouse who has the problem, but those who don't think she should be Idolising her....

The follower ultimately must decide if the leader is toxic. It's very difficult to tell sometimes and there is a decided lack of knowledge on what to look for and when to put an end to it.

Generally, toxic leaders promise unrealistic utopias that appeal to three types of needs: Physical (paying the mortgage) Existential (getting a sense of meaning through membership in a group) and Fear (pretending we can control all threats)

I'd have thought of Gene Simmons as a more toxic rock star than Winehouse. As you say, it's up to followers to decide what the motivations are. I've never idolized a musician so I don't really get the mentality either way.

As the old saying goes, "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."

Since I don't seem to know where I am going, I reckon I am not much of leader.

I never was any good at following, either, so I just get out of the way, and watch the parade.

You are right. There are so many folks out there looking for a leader, it doesn't seem to take much of one for them to follow.