Sometimes, I find myself catching up with shows a bit later than everyone else. Recently, I discovered the powerful STARZ TV series Boss, starring Kelsey Grammer, which is a significant departure from his usual roles. Here, he portrays a dark, ambitious, and ruthlessly effective Mayor of Chicago who has recently been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. His portrayal is intense and mesmerizing, and you get the impression that his character may have started out with good intentions but ultimately succumbed to the desire for power at all costs. The show doesn’t provide a clear protagonist, leaving you wondering who, if anyone, to root for. With stellar writing and acting, Boss cleverly examines what has repeatedly happened to leaders throughout history.
After finishing the first season, I couldn’t help but reflect on its leadership themes. Here are several takeaways on the corrupting influence of power, both from the show and from what I’ve observed in leadership studies and real-life examples:
- Power for Power’s Sake is a Slippery Slope: When the pursuit of power becomes an end in itself, leaders often find themselves making choices they’d never consider otherwise, driven by the allure of staying on top.
- Remember Your Why: It’s surprisingly easy to lose sight of why you started, getting lost in the process and forgetting the purpose that once fueled your ambition.
- No One is Above Accountability: Regardless of position, every leader is subject to scrutiny. People are watching, and many are waiting for the powerful to stumble.
- Actions Define Legacy: Eventually, leaders must reconcile their choices, as those around them—and even history itself—will judge them by what they’ve done.
- True Leadership Requires Compromise: If your decisions result in everyone else losing, then no one truly wins. Leading effectively requires a willingness to find common ground.
- Purchased Loyalty is Fleeting: Loyalty bought is easily lost to those with deeper pockets. Genuine allegiance can’t be bought but must be earned.
- Fear Stifles Honesty: Leading by fear silences those who would otherwise speak truthfully. Leaders must welcome honesty, even if it’s uncomfortable.
- How You Treat Others Matters: The memories of those who’ve felt mistreated are long and often come back at moments least expected. Respect and fairness sow lasting loyalty; harsh treatment breeds resentment.
- Adversity Builds Character: A career without challenges is a shallow one. It’s the hardships, not the easy times, that test and forge a leader’s true character.
- Decay Happens Gradually: Institutional rot can persist quietly for years, but eventually, the cracks become too wide to ignore, leading to inevitable failure if left unchecked.
Additionally, as I reflect on the nuances of how power influences leaders, a few more lessons stand out:
- Isolation from Reality: Leaders intoxicated by power often lose touch with everyday challenges and the people they lead, surrounding themselves with those who affirm rather than challenge them.
- Erosion of Empathy: When power becomes all-encompassing, it can erode empathy, leading leaders to view others as tools rather than individuals with their own needs, strengths, and contributions.
- Cultivating a “Yes-Men” Culture: Corrupting power often creates a culture where only agreement is encouraged, stifling innovation and suppressing diverse perspectives that could prevent poor decision-making.
- Normalizing Moral Flexibility: As power solidifies, leaders may begin to see themselves as exceptions to the rules, justifying unethical choices under the guise of necessity or exceptionalism.
- Fear of Losing Power Becomes All-Consuming: Fear of losing control often drives leaders to make increasingly desperate decisions, compromising values and alienating potential allies to maintain dominance.
- Substituting Influence for Respect: Over time, leaders corrupted by power may mistake fear and compliance for respect, creating an environment where trust and authentic connection are scarce.
Finally, as the show poignantly illustrates, when leaders care only for themselves and use others purely as a means to an end, they ultimately wind up isolated and emotionally alone despite their position. Power can be either a gift or a curse to those wielding it and those impacted by it, depending on how it’s handled. Watching Boss serves as a stark reminder that while leadership may be complex, some fundamental truths persist: treat others well, lead with purpose, and don’t compromise on integrity—because, in the end, these choices define both the leader and their legacy.