LEADERSHIP BY TERROR 175playacting designed to manipulate the audience. Lacking any center
within themselves, sadists play different roles, depending on the particu-
larities of the situation. They make a compensatory attempt to show that
they are capable of genuine friendliness and concern, that there is more
to them than mere coldness. Such behavior often succeeds, in the eyes
of the sadist: it puts others off - guard, encouraging them to say things
that they pay for — and regret — later.
Because sadists are unable to see the potential for good in the behav-
ior of others, they are always suspicious of what others say. They are
extremely sensitive to perceived insults in anything from comments
about the weather to comments about their person. It is as if they are
expecting insults — and indeed they are. With their talent for manipula-
tion, they distort the most innocent remark into a barb, responding with
fury, scorn, and vindictiveness.
The Paranoid Weltanschauung
Healthy suspiciousness is an adaptive mechanism for leaders. Vigilance
in the presence of perceived or likely danger is simply an extension of
any leader ’ s wish to survive. Suspicion must always be moderated by
a sense of reality, however, lest it slip over into paranoia. Effective
leaders ground their behavior in sound political practices that limit and
test danger, and rely on trusted associates to help them stay safe and
sane.
While most of us can distinguish real danger, some see danger eve-
rywhere and hostile intent in everyone. Paranoid leaders fall into this
category. Persecutory paranoia and paranoid grandiosity are common
ingredients in power and politics. Paranoia is the disease of kings. Para-
noid individuals distort information and engage in delusional thinking
and faulty reality - testing. In their efforts to deal with perceived dangers,
they create what looks to them like a logical world. But while their
reasoning may be rational, the assumptions on which their logic is based
are false.
Leaders with a paranoid Weltanschauung typically question the trust-
worthiness of everyone around them and suffer from delusions of con-
spiracy and victimization. Fearing that others may do them harm, they
listen for — and fi nd — hidden meanings in even the most innocent
remarks. If a cursory check proves their suspicions wrong, there is no
relief; instead, they search deeper for confi rmation. If that effort fails,
they may claim to have special knowledge of the inner experiences of
the potential offender. In other words, lacking proof, they create it. Over