As the Labor Party faces leadership speculation and one political crisis after another, the remains of charismatic leader Ned Kelly have been conclusively identified to great fanfare. What do these leadership stories have to teach us in our current state of political confusion? Do we need to take a firm stand in times of political uncertainty? Do we still love a bad boy? When we’re looking for strong leadership, is there a mid point between sociopath and unconvincing determination?
For 17 years we had a beautiful and terrible cat named Howard. He was ultra muscular, all big up the front section and narrow down the back end, and if you sat in his chair he was likely to sink his teeth into your Achilles’ tendon. If he swatted your hand it left a bruise. If he had been human, he would have met the diagnostic criteria for a sociopath, or as we now call it, someone with an antisocial personality disorder.
Like the recently identified Ned Kelly, also arguably a sociopath, Howard came from difficult circumstances, having been abandoned at our local vet by his bikie owner. Like Ned, his violence was sometimes random and inexcusable, but his need to fight was real. Like Ned, he could be dangerous, and he inspired either fierce hatred or adoration. Howard had a plan and a vision and he stuck to it with ferocity and courage. He was scary and fearless and he was the leader of our household.
The latest American research on sociopathic prevalence estimates that at least one in 25 company directors is a sociopath. This should come as no surprise to anyone who has worked for a corporation, but what we do tend to have trouble owning up to is how much most of us love an arrogant leader. After all, we’re the ones who put them there. I still remember with a tiny frisson of shame my secret delight in 1995 when Keating told a protester to “Go get a job!” Not because of what he said, but because he allowed himself to say it. Arrogant leaders get our attention not simply through wit and chutzpah, but because they allow themselves to say the things we’re too timid to say ourselves.
zoekrupka.com 
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