How Character-Disordered Leadership Creates Dangerous School Environments
- Janet Kelly
- Apr 19
- 2 min read
There are many words thrown around to describe those who walk among us without empathy or conscience: abusers, oppressors, narcissists, sociopaths, intimate partner predators, psychopaths and even conmen. While each term has its nuances, one label ties them all together: coercive controllers.
These individuals see people not as fellow human beings but as tools – objects to manipulate for their own gain. As Dr. Martha Stout notes in The Sociopath Next Door, roughly 1 in 25 people lack a conscience entirely. They do not feel shame, guilt or remorse. When such people gain positions of power—especially in school administration—the risks to students and staff multiply quickly.
They can be masters of image management, skilled at crafting a public persona that appears ethical, compassionate, and effective. Their ability to produce results—high test scores, smooth PR, well-attended events—can convince even seasoned professionals that they’re exemplary leaders. But behind closed doors, the culture they cultivate is anything but safe.
But coercive controllers create long term disadvantages to the school district. From my experience and observation, these kinds of leaders:
Avoid all accountability. Therefore, they hire large cabinets to protect themselves from the fall out of bad situations.
Sabotage contracts and careers. Knowing staff may need them for future references, they use this leverage to suppress dissent. In some cases, they may use sexual coercion to gain silence or compliance.
Undermine programs that promote boundaries. They often detest or devalue anti-bullying or abuse-prevention training.
Foster a culture of fear. Speaking up is punished; silence is rewarded. As Shannon Thomas notes in Healing from Hidden Abuse, abusers seek positions that control who gets certification and status in their field.
Create a district that has a split reality. Some see a “Christian family man”; others see a toxic boys’ club behind closed doors.
This level of manipulation causes deep harm, especially when children are involved.
As Scripture warns:
“This is the way of the adulterer: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’” — Proverbs 30:20
If you've experienced this kind of leadership, you're not imagining it.
You’re not alone.
And it’s not okay.
The beauty of speaking out for victims is that you are never the only one. When someone tells the truth, others often find the courage to step forward. These character-disordered individuals follow patterns – and those trails leave carnage in the lives of students, staff and communities.
If your church or organization wants to learn how to avoid hiring abusive leaders – or how to respond well when someone discloses abuse – I would be honored to help.
Please reach out.
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