Betrayal
In the context of leadership, "betrayal" refers to when a trusted individual violates the expectations of those they lead. This can be especially difficult for followers who have formed strong emotional bonds with their leaders, as it may challenge their sense of loyalty and belonging within the group. Sexual misconduct is one type of betrayal that can occur between a leader and a subordinate, and can have particularly intense consequences due to its personal nature. When a leader engages in such behavior, it can feel like a breach of trust that goes beyond the professional relationship and strikes at the core of the follower's identity. The perceived betrayal of sexual misconduct is often intensified by feelings of emotional identification, which involve an investment of one's own self into the relationship.
When a follower identifies emotionally with their leader, they may perceive themselves as part of a larger social unit or community. They may view the leader as representing them and their values, and see themselves as aligned with the leader's goals. As a result, the leader becomes an important source of meaning and connection in their life. Therefore, when the leader engages in sexual misconduct, it can feel like a direct attack on not just the leader-follower relationship but also on the follower's own sense of identity and wellbeing.
Emotional investment
Emotional investment involves attaching one's self to another person, ideology, or cause. It can take many forms, including love, admiration, anger, grief, or fear. In the context of leadership, followers may invest their emotions in their leaders based on factors such as charisma, authority, power, or shared beliefs. This investment can create a strong psychological bond between the two individuals, making it difficult for the follower to separate their emotions from their perceptions of the leader's actions.
If a follower has formed an emotional attachment to their leader due to their shared political views, they may feel personally betrayed when that leader engages in sexual misconduct. They may question how they could have been so wrong about the leader's character and wonder whether they were manipulated or deceived. The betrayal feels personal because it challenges their beliefs about what kind of person the leader is and what kind of world they live in.
Intensifying feelings of betrayal
When a follower identifies emotionally with their leader, they are more likely to experience intense feelings of betrayal in response to the leader's sexual misconduct. They may feel abandoned, confused, angry, or ashamed. These feelings can be especially powerful because they contradict the positive image they had of the leader and threaten their sense of belonging within the group. As a result, the follower may struggle to move past the incident and rebuild trust with the leader.
The perceived betrayal may also lead to changes in behavior.
Followers who identify emotionally with their leader may distance themselves from them, avoid interactions, or even leave the organization altogether. This can further complicate the relationship and make it harder for both parties to heal and move forward.
How might emotional identification with a leader intensify the perceived betrayal of their sexual misconduct?
Emotional identification can amplify the feelings of shock and disbelief that follow from learning about a leader's sexual misconduct. If one feels personally connected to a leader, it may be especially difficult to reconcile the idealized image they had formed with reality. This could lead to a range of negative emotions such as anger, sadness, disappointment, confusion, and even self-blame for having placed so much trust in someone who ultimately let them down.