“Office politics is greater than your personal policies,” he said.
I smiled
But my conscience shook its head
Because somewhere between service and position, leadership lost its soul.
Power became louder than principles
Politics replaced purpose
And silence became the price of survival
They call it influence
They call it mentorship
But when authority intimidates
when power touches what it has no right to touch
when fear becomes policy
That is not leadership
That is abuse wearing a title
Power is not consent
Position is not ownership
And no office is worth your dignity
Because one day the title will leave the door
But character will remain in the room
Choose integrity
Even when politics is louder.
Many workplaces are broken because of dysfunctional leadership!
Leadership is never meant to be about politics over principles.
When systems are manipulated to protect power rather than people, trust collapses.
And what once looked like privilege to serve quietly transformed into selfishness, entitlement, and self serving leadership.
True leadership does not intimidate
It does not harass
It does not exploit authority for personal gain
If your leadership requires fear to function, it is already failing.
A true leader knows that :
Positions are temporary!
Reputation and character are permanent!
When office politics becomes a weapon, leadership dies.
When policies are bent to protect power instead of people, integrity walks out quietly.
“Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts perhaps the fear of losing power.” — John Steinbeck
Some leaders do not lead to build, they lead to dominate.
They hide behind titles, manipulate systems, silence voices, and turn workplaces into fear zones.
They forget that authority is given to serve, not to enslave.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” — Abraham Lincoln
Bad leadership thrives where office politics is louder than values.
Where competence is punished and compliance is rewarded.
Where speaking up is called rebellion, and silence is called loyalty.
And the worst kind:
Those who use their position to harass, intimidate, or sexually exploit others then call it influence, mentorship, or entitlement.
True leadership protects dignity
It creates safety, not fear
It empowers, not preys.
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” — John C. Maxwell
If your leadership needs politics to survive, it was never leadership.
If your success depends on silencing others, it is already a failure.
When positions are used to intimidate, silence, or sexually harass, it is not leadership! it is abuse.
Every compromised person in leadership position should always have this at the back of their minds that :
One day, titles will fade!
Positions will change!
But character will testify!
Choose to lead with conscience this is so because power without integrity is only organized abuse.
And remember:
“People may forget what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
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