GOAL: DISCERN

Why Many Leaders Are Psychopaths

Because we let them lead.

Because good people are generally not interested in leading or being the center of attention.

Good, intelligent people doubt themselves. Crazy people don't. Crazy people push forward full force.

Good people give them the benefit of the doubt, and crazy people use all that benefit of the doubt like get-out-of-jail-free cards. Crazy people say whatever their groups want to hear, and they act primarily for personal gain, never truly for altruism, though they're very good at making it look like altruism.

Crazy people don't have the same compulsion as the rest of us to follow principles or moral code.

So don't be timid. There are no rewards for timidity. Doubt yourself, but don't let your doubt stop you from action when you see things are amiss.

When we give the inch, they take the whole foot. And the line gets moved again, and again, and again, until we're well into shitshow territory.

So step up, Good People.

I know you don't want to. I don't want to either.

But if we don't - all those positions of power across every major industry and governing body? Yeah, they're gonna get filled with psychopaths.

The cream of the crop doesn't float to the top. Psychopaths do.

Then we're fucked.

Exercise

SELF-DISCOVERY

1. Do you ever get frustrated with leadership?


2. If you were in charge, what would you change?


3. Do you feel safe and cared for in your organization?