Why the Fear of Losing Power Makes Leaders Selfish (And How to Prevent It)

When leaders feel their authority slipping, something ancient is triggered. Fear triggers an instinct not just to survive, but to protect status at all costs. In this episode, we uncover the evolutionary psychology behind power loss and explore how fear can quietly corrupt even the most principled leadership. We explore groundbreaking research showing how perceived status threats cause leaders to act selfishly, even at the expense of their teams. You'll hear case studies from politics and business on how fear distorts decision-making under pressure. When power feels unstable, you don't just risk poor choices. You risk becoming the very leader you vowed not to be. Join the conversation now and learn how to prevent power panic, stabilize legitimacy, and future-proof your leadership with science-backed strategies.In this episode:- Evolutionary roots of status threat and fight-or-flight- Research results on leadership insecurity- Real-world examples: Marcos, Kalanick, & middle managers- Three strategies to prevent power-loss panic- Key takeaway and conclusionResources Mentioned in the Episode:French, J. R. P., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power.Peyton, T., Zigarmi, D., & Fowler, S. (2020). The relationship of leader power use and follower motivational outlook and work intention.Wisse, B., Faber, N. R., van Vugt, M., & Evers, A. (2019). Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it: The combined effects of leader fear of losing power and competitive climate on leader self-serving behaviorGet Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/Get in Touch: Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences