Tyrants do not only rule nations, oppress and abuse citizens and invade neighboring countries. Tyrants may exist in every home or business. They may be elected officials or leaders of various organizations. It could be a low level manager wielding their authority like Thor. Tyrants may not be in a position of power. It could be a four year old who refuses to sit for his haircut. I have witnessed it many times. Handling authority is not easy. There is a constant battle for supremacy in the world. When leadership is good in a home or business or nation things may cruise along sufficiently. The demands and action of a tyrant bring unhappiness and struggle.
Are there Born Leaders? I have heard people describe others as being a born leader. I think this compliment comes after knowing someone who has achieved success in their position and not only has been an effective leader but is liked by those they are leading. It may not be possible to please everyone but great leaders come closer than others. I've always found the greatest of all leaders are too humble to assume they are great and must be thrust into duty. Making decisions and taking the heat are not fun in life. When done right it is satisfying to see and be a part of.
Tyrants have little to no care for anyone but themselves. They know what they want and will get it at the expense of others with little or no compassion. Nothing is more frustrating than being told to do something because "I told you so". Who hasn't caught a parent in a moment of tyrannical control(freak-out mode) after you've pushed them to the brink and when you ask why, "BECAUSE I TOLD YOU SO" is the response. At that point it is best to listen to the tyrant, speaking as a parent and momentary tyrant of the past. People like to understand why they are doing the things they are required to do. Even kids. Healthy leaders will get the job done and their point across but it comes from a basis of trust. Trust is built. Tyrants have little care for trust. You do what you are told because they are in charge.
All of us have encountered tyrants in the past and some on a daily basis. They are everywhere. Nobody likes them. We tolerate them because we have to. If we don't have to we get away from them. Not everyone in a leadership position is a good leader, the first to volunteer are usually the most ill equipped for the job. I have spent time in the military and tyrannical leadership is normal. Not all the time, but it is easier with a few stripes on your arm. Tyrants are a huge source of a disgruntled workforce. Companies could save themselves a lot of trouble by purging poor leaders from the management team. I have seen people quit jobs over bad low to mid level managers. I know I left a couple for that exact reason. I do not work well under the "do what you are told because I said so" crowd. We have become sensitive to bullying for young people but the workplace is full of bullies and most of us hate bullies unless you are one.
Tyrants and bullies are selfish and self-centered people who have no concern for the suffering of others. They may enjoy afflicting mental and physical suffering on others. They lack empathy and are destroyers by nature. They have power on their side. They hide behind it. The power of position, or power of intimidation. They use fear as a tool. They use shame as a tool. Everything about it is frustrating. My manger at one of my jobs was the perfect tyrant. He told me after three weeks on the job he regretted hiring me. He used his tools of shame and fear and I stood up to him. He told me he would fire me. I lasted 9 months on the job but left on my own terms. For the record the manager ended up getting fired. He did me a favor. He motivated me to get a better job.
Bobby Knight was a successful NCAA Men's basketball coach. Success only got him so far. The world around him grew tired of his chair throwing, profanity-laced style of coaching. He created a scarred legacy. There will always be the *"he was a winner but"* part of the story. John Wooden won 10 national championships by coaching basketball and building up young men and is loved and revered today. There are two ways to the top of life. One where you take others with you. The other way is to step on others to rise to what most likely will be short-lived success. The second leaves harm and destruction in its wake. Tyrants will only have each other in the end.
Whether you are a CEO, manager, foreman or in any kind of leadership position if you are a tyrant people do not like you. If you use the tactics of a bully, you may not have any true friends and supporters. Things may still get done but not like they could. Conscientious people who have some pride in what they do save the day. Leaders come and go. I am a blue collar guy at heart. I have worked with hard working, intelligent people over the years. Together we worked and ignored the poor leaders around us at times. To beat the tyrant you have to ignore them as much as possible. Truth is when the foundation is weak, leaders fall quickly. Managers seem to get cycled through workplaces at a faster rate than workers. I don't have facts to back that up just an observation. Being a leader is not easy. Many fail when they try it for the first time. Leaders are not born, they are made. Made in the fire of life. Pressure brings out the best and worst of us all. Not everyone is willing to be a student. A leader should be the first student.
Tyrants and bullies beware! We are on to you.
Very true Son I always got a lot of things done with my staff by build a working collation rather then a Adversarial position