Wild Wild Country
The Netflix documentary Wild Wild Country delves into the controversial and tumultuous history of the Rajneesh movement in Oregon during the 1980s. Central to this story is Ma Anand Sheela (Sheila), a close aide to Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, whose leadership style exemplifies many aspects of what Barbara Kellerman describes as Bad Leadership (incompetent, rigid, intemperate, callous, corrupt, insular, and evil).
Sheila’s authoritarian approach was a hallmark of her approach to control. She exercised immense control over the commune and its residents, often ruling with an iron fist (intemperate/rigid). According to Kellerman, bad leaders often centralize power and make decisions unilaterally, suppressing dissent and discouraging participation. Sheila's heavy-handed tactics created a culture of fear and obedience. Her manipulative and deceptive practices further exemplified Kellerman's framework, as she engaged in various illegal activities, including wiretapping, voter fraud, and even orchestrating a bioterror attack (callous/corrupt/evil). This willingness to manipulate and deceive broke the law and eroded trust within the community and with external stakeholders.
Sheila consistently deflected blame and refused to take responsibility for her actions. When faced with the consequences of her deeds, she either denied involvement or shifted blame onto others. This lack of accountability fostered a culture of evasion and dishonesty. Additionally, Sheila's tenure was marked by significant ethical breaches. For instance, her involvement in criminal activities and ruthless tactics to maintain power illustrate profound moral corruption, prioritizing her interests over ethical considerations (corrupt/evil). This exploitation and harm inflicted upon followers, such as orchestrating the largest bioterror attack in U.S. history, showcased the destructive potential of bad leadership.
The documentary is worth a look. While difficult to watch, it’s an interesting exploration of bad leadership and an important case study of how one can use their influence and authority for ill. I recently spoke with Dr. Kellerman on my podcast about her book, Leadership From Bad to Worse, a wonderful and important read.