A changeling, also historically referred to as an auf or oaf, is a human-like creature found throughout much of European folklore. According to folklore, a changeling was a substitute left by a supernatural being when kidnapping a human being. Sometimes the changeling was a “stock” (a piece of wood made magically to resemble the kidnapped human), more often the changeling was a supernatural being made magically to look like the kidnapped human.
It has come to the fore in recent decades through Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999). The security chief of the station, Odo (René Auberjonois) is a Changeling, a being able to shapeshift. Found by the Bajorans, he was subjected to painful testing by a Bajoran scientist while growing up. During the Cardassian occupation, Odo was a law enforcement officer aboard the station, doing his best to be even-handed and impartial, despite the circumstances.
He is the nemesis of Quark, the Ferengi owner of a bar/nightclub on the station during and after the occupation. Odo gradually falls in love with Kira Nerys, the Bajoran liaison officer and Sisko’s second-in-command, and she with him.
He finally discovers that his people are the Founders, the iron-fisted rulers of the Dominion, a very powerful state in the Gamma Quadrant. The Founders distrust all “solids” and have already subjugated many races. They go to war with the Federation and its allies, testing Odo’s loyalties.
Leadership is defined as the ability of an individual, group, or organization to “lead”, influence, or guide other individuals, teams, or organizations. “Leadership” is a contested term. Narcissistic leadership is a leadership style in which the leader is only interested in themself. A narcissistic leader’s priority is that leader’s own self – at the expense of their people/group members. This leader exhibits the characteristics of a narcissist: arrogance, dominance and hostility. It is a sufficiently common leadership style that it has acquired its own name. Narcissism is most often described as unhealthy and destructive. It has been described as “driven by unyielding arrogance, self-absorption, and a personal egotistic need for power and admiration”. Narcissistic leadership is childhood leadership, think William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. It is all the failure of Pedagogy, and it is not Andragogy nor Anthology.
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Featured Image: Deep Space Nine (fictional space station, DS9station) (Wikipedia).
Neville Buch
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