In recent times, we’ve witnessed a concerning trend permeating leadership discourse – the rise of ‘Virtuous Victimhood.’
It’s a phenomenon where manipulative leaders, regardless of their political affiliations, seek to cultivate a culture of helplessness and acceptance of dire circumstances among their followers.
Why?
Because in this state of perceived victimhood, individuals are easier to manipulate, control, and mobilize for personal or ideological gain.
Moreover, as society is primarily driven by dominant hierarchy systems, the emergent property of which is for the ‘Dark Tetrad’ of personality traits (around 7% of the population) to rise to the top.
People with Dark Tetrad traits score high on measures of the following:
Narcissism: A belief that one is special, particularly gifted, obsessed with themselves and that they are superior to others.
Machiavellianism: A tendency to see people as a means to achieve one’s own goals.
Psychopathy: A condition characterised by a lack of affective empathy and the willingness to exploit others.
Sadism: The tendency to derive pleasure from the pain or humiliation of others.
So those who are less remorseful, more egocentric and competitive, want you to look to them as your saviour.
But better leadership isn’t about fostering victimhood; it’s about empowerment, resilience, and prosperity for all.
Leaders, by definition, should inspire, uplift, and guide their communities towards a brighter future.
They encourage empowerment over victimisation. Leaders should understand that true strength lies in empowering individuals and communities to overcome challenges, even in the face of adversity.
🤝 Building Communities, Not Divisions
Manipulative leaders thrive on division and discord, pitting people against each other based on perceived grievances. In contrast, virtuous leaders strive to unite communities, fostering inclusivity, understanding, and cooperation. They recognise that a divided society is a weakened one, whereas a united one can achieve greatness.
💡 Reimagining Leadership
If leaders aren’t empowering their communities and encouraging prosperity, can we truly call them leaders at all?
The essence of leadership lies in service, not self-interest. It’s time we reevaluate our standards for leadership and demand authenticity, integrity, and genuine care for the collective well-being.
A Call to Action!
As we navigate the complexities of our world, let’s be vigilant in discerning true leadership from manipulative tactics. Let’s rally behind leaders who prioritise empowerment, resilience, and prosperity for all.
Together, we can create a future where virtuous leadership prevails, and communities thrive to shape a brighter tomorrow.
#Leadership #Empowerment #Prosperity #VirtuousLeadership #CommunityBuilding #Authenticity #Resilience
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