Bob Gower, a former member of the infamous sex cult NXIVM, shares his experience and the lessons it taught him about leadership and organisational culture. Gower, who left NXIVM before its criminal activities were exposed, examines the power dynamics that allowed the cult’s leader, Keith Raniere, to manipulate and control his followers.
Despite the criminality of NXIVM, Gower identifies some valuable lessons about leadership and culture. He highlights the importance of transparency, accountability, and the power of the collective over the individual in fostering a healthy organisational culture. He warns against leaders who exploit their power and stresses the need for organisational structures that encourage open communication and challenge authority.
Gower also discusses the concept of ‘radical alignment’, a model he developed to foster better communication and collaboration within teams. This model, he suggests, can help organisations avoid the pitfalls of toxic leadership and foster a culture of trust and mutual respect.
Drawing on his experience, Gower emphasises the importance of ethical leadership and the dangers of unchecked power. His insights serve as a stark warning to organisations about the potential dangers of toxic leadership and the importance of fostering a healthy, transparent, and accountable culture.
Go to source article: https://medium.com/@bobgower/from-sex-cult-to-c-suite-d0df735b8b32