There is a big divide in leadership styles now, especially in business, organized religion, and government.
The Divide in Styles
The meaning of being a leader has mostly changed from “taking care of those in our charge” to “taking control of others and being in charge.” This means the emphasis has mostly switched from helping and supporting people, and giving them a direction—to focusing on controlling and dominating them.
It’s almost getting to the point where a good portion of leaders intentionally or unintentionally are cruel to their followers—whether it’s their team, supporters, or consumers.
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8 Reasons Why Most Leaders Are Cruel to Their Followers
One reason might be…
1 THEY FOCUS ON WINNING
For decades, winning was important. Now, it seems like it’s crucial, especially in sports or anything competitive. Doing unethical things (hurting others in some way) to gain an advantage doesn’t seem to matter much as long as they come out on top.
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Another reason why most leaders might be cruel to their followers is…
2 LYING HAS BEEN NORMALIZED
Over the last few years, it has become almost “normalized” for leaders to hide the truth, mislead others, and downright lie without any visible consequences. In fact, often leaders are rewarded for it.
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Another reason why most leaders might be cruel to their followers is…
3 MOST BELIEVE THEY ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS
Both the leaders and their followers tend to think that leaders are different and somehow special, smarter, more gifted, and higher up than others. That mutual belief alone makes “the concept of inequality” exist. It makes it easy for leaders to get a big head—and for followers to tolerate their leaders’ bad behaviors.
In truth, we are all part of the oneness—everyone is significant and has a special part to play in the world.
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Another reason why most leaders might be cruel to their followers is…
4 TO PROMOTE SELF-INTEREST
Most of us, whether we are a leader or not, have been taught that a good way to build our self-worth is through our status, the amount of money we earn, the possessions we have accumulated, and our achievements (gotten fairly or unfairly). That often makes leaders cross the line and lean towards making decisions in their self-interest.
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Another reason why most leaders might be cruel to their followers is…
5 THEY SEEK REVENGE
Since most of our leaders have been so concentrated on achieving, going up in status, and winning, they have often neglected the process of emotionally dealing with their past hurts. Painful life experiences and past losses can easily drive leaders to be vindictive.
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Another reason why most leaders might be cruel to their followers is…
6 THE ABSENCE OF TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
Over the last few years, there has been a steady decline in individuals willing to be accountable—that means owning up to their part in the situation. Both leaders and followers have been discouraged from making decisions or taking actions that require them to go against the organization or the popular consensus.
Therefore, “courage” (other than for self-gain) is almost a lost concept. Many of our leaders have lost the willingness to take bold, uncomfortable, or risky actions necessary to avoid being cruel to others.
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Another reason why most leaders might be cruel to their followers is…
7 THEY HAVE A FAULTY CONCEPT OF POWER
Many of our leaders are in power positions for the wrong reasons, especially if they are cruel to their followers. They might think their title or position automatically gives them control over others, excessive earnings, more respect, and more freedom without constraints.
This concept of power in leaders is expressed through controlling behaviors, such as being highly critical, disrespecting followers’ boundaries, displaying mood swings, making excessive demands, and shifting blame.
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Another reason why most leaders might be cruel to their followers is…
8 THE NEGLECT OF THE IMPORTANCE OF “HOW IT FEELS”
For years, almost all of us have devalued our emotional well-being. Being productive by doing tasks that require physical effort, achieving goals, and attaining more money and possessions have been a priority in most of our lives. We just weren’t in touch with how to deal with the emotional things, much less “feel” them.
No wonder we have gotten ourselves into a mess!
Our leaders often cannot manage their emotions, either with outbursts, verbal abuse, undermining, neglect, excessive demands, threats, or by just creating an environment of high stress.
On the flip side, the lack of importance of emotional well-being explains why many followers tolerate the cruelty that leaders dish out. There is a good chance they are not in touch with how painful things feel and what it is doing to them.
Good News!
Whether you are a leader or a follower, at any point, you have a choice! Once you let yourself “emotionally feel” those feelings, they’re on the way to being released. You’ve probably heard, “The only way out of it is to go through it.” Letting yourself “emotionally feel” those uncomfortable and painful feelings triggers a change.
Then, the impact of whatever is going on will either lessen, resolve on its own, or your intuition will guide you on what to do next.
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I have two QUIZZES that may help you deal with the cruelty many leaders display…
Is the Changing World Stressing You Out?
How Often Do You Listen to Your Intuition?
Also, check out the Inner Work and Intuition sections on my website.
And, if you need an advisor to help you on your quest, contact Vickie Champion for a coaching and consulting session at a discounted price.