One Man Army

After the First World War, C.G.Jung observed a unique pattern among his mentally disturbed patients. Most of his patients were having a frightening dream, in which a white terrifying figure emerges from nowhere. Jung latter interpreted, that the collective consciousness of Germans was expecting for a messiah, to redeem them from the shame of defeat. And Germany had their messiah in the form of Hitler.

Expecting for a leader to set things right is almost present in every culture. Jews still expect for a messiah and in Indian culture too, we expect God to take avatar to take care of evil doer. Amitabh Bhachchan in the role of Angry young man fulfilled our frustration in 1980s.

Leaders acting like a one man army creates catharsis in our mind. But it has more negative outcomes than positive. Invariably it becomes a one man show, the rest get reduced to mere spectators. In a way helplessness sets in among followers. Hero worship and sycophancy are displayed on daily basis. The organization or the nation will be equated with the leader (remember the late 1970s slogan: Indra is India and India is Indra).

This is neither good for the follower nor for the leader. It kills the motivation and creativity in the followers and creates illusionary glory in the mind of the leader. The leader hears echo of his own words in the form of advice. No one can differ from the leader; if one dares he will be declared as evil and betrayer of hope. Invariably he becomes an outcast. 


Leader will end up having neither friends nor enemies. In this atmosphere the leader invariably blunders and brings down the organization and the subjects to shame and misery.

Greeks were aware of this phenomenon and created a kind of parliamentary system to rule the nation. One man show is still prevalent in our organizations and nation. Still waiting for someone to eradicate corruption and bring forth prosperity for all. Hope, one day we will get rid of one man show dominating in our collective consciousness.