I was seven years old when Ronald Reagan had just finished his second year as president of the United States. One day, while sitting in the barber’s chair in my tiny mountain village in the Austrian Alps, the hairdresser asked me the usual question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Without hesitation, I replied, “I want to be president.” My answer seemed to catch him off guard, and he responded with a surprised, “Oh, wow! That’s a big goal!”
But I wasn’t done. With all the confidence of a seven-year-old, I added, “Yeah, president of the United States of America!”
I didn’t know much about politics back then, let alone about Democrats, Republicans, or the Electoral College. But somehow,the idea that this man in a big white house in America was someone to admire made its way into the mind of seven-year-old me, a child from a working-class Austrian mountain village. Whenever that man appeared on the screen, I was glued to it, captivated by his presence and the sense of authority he conveyed. I sure admired that guy.
Lessons from the Past: The Impact of Toxic Leadership on Youth
Now, 40 years later – not being any kind of president yet – I’m still staring at the screen. This time, in disbelief. Shocked. Devastated. Did the people of the USA just put a man back into the most powerful position in the world who demeans women, minorities, and anyone who dares to disagree with him? A man who mocks the vulnerable, sneers at accountability, and displays a shocking lack of empathy? A misogynist and racist with a fable for autocrats? A convicted felon who, in front of millions, mimicked performing fellatio on a microphone holder?
I find many things worrying about a second Trump term, and only time will tell if American democracy can withstand his influence. But there’s also another thing that keeps crossing my mind and which is not being discussed up and down the media or in my center-left bubble.
What effect does Trump’s continued presence and – let’s face it – incredible political success have on young minds around the world? What does his apparent immunity to consequences teach them? Do children look up to him, as I once looked up to Reagan, and begin to emulate his belittling of opponents, his disdain for accountability, and his unapologetic disrespect for women, immigrants, and anyone who dares to challenge his lies?
Will our kids start to measure their own achievements by how much they can get away with, as Trump famously claimed he could “shoot someone on 5th Avenue without losing voters”? Will they start to define their manhood by “grabbing them by the pussy” and bragging about it? Will they think it’s okay to label anyone with a different viewpoint as “degenerates” and “lowlifes”? Will boys grow up now with a “your body, my choice” attitude?
The Ripple Effect: Toxic Leadership and Workplace Culture
When we’re young, we don’t consciously evaluate the qualities of those in powerful positions; we simply absorb. We see a person in a position of authority, and we instinctively understand that they represent something significant.
Children and teens are constantly looking for clues about how to behave, how to be successful, and how to deal with people. They notice who wins and who gets punished, who rises to the top and who falls. And now kids just learned that most Americans consider it a great idea to pick a man who mocks others, flaunts disrespect, and permanently violates the law without facing consequences, as their leader. Worse than that, as we speak, millions of kids see their parents literally glorifying that very man.
When a leader’s approach is rooted in divisiveness, aggression, and self-interest, the consequences ripple far beyond politics. It sets a tone that resonates across all parts of society, including workplaces. Leaders with wide-reaching influence become models, whether consciously or not, for others to emulate. And when the figure at the top of the global power hierarchy is one who belittles, bullies, and prioritizes self-interest, it has profound implications for organizational cultures everywhere.
Shaping Future Leaders: A Call for Positive Role Models
Toxic workplaces — already on the rise — may find a new template for their dysfunction. When professionals see someone like Trump rewarded with the highest office, they might begin to associate success with tearing others down rather than building others up. Undermining colleagues or prioritizing personal gain over teamwork could become normalized strategies for advancement. Leadership, once defined by the ability to guide, inspire, and uplift, risks being increasingly reduced to a ruthless competition where domination, deceit, and exploitation are the tools of the trade. In such a climate, the idea that power is earned through integrity and collaboration may erode, replaced by a dangerous belief that ruthlessness is not just effective but admirable and legit.
But the impact doesn’t stop with today’s workplaces. It sets the stage for the leaders of tomorrow, raising urgent questions about the values we are instilling in the next generation. The messages young people absorb now will influence not only how they approach their careers but also how they treat others and define success in the future. If the traits they see celebrated in leadership are aggression, dishonesty, and self-interest, we risk breeding a generation that values dominance over collaboration, deception over transparency, and personal gain over collective progress.
These young minds will become future managers and leaders, carrying lessons from today’s examples. The question is: What kind of workplace culture will they inherit — and perpetuate — if these toxic values take root?
Building Resilient and Inclusive Workplace Cultures
This is why fostering and empowering employees, creating inclusive environments, and championing healthy leadership styles is more critical than ever. For those of us dedicated to these values, the stakes have never been higher. We are not just shaping workplaces — we are shaping the world that the next generation will inherit. Every effort to promote collaboration, empathy, and integrity sends a powerful counter-message to the toxic norms threatening to take hold.
As leaders, managers, and advocates for change, we must not falter. Let us continue to fight for workplace cultures that inspire and uplift, leaving a legacy we can be proud of. The ripple effects of our commitment will extend far beyond offices and boardrooms. They will shape a generation, redefine success, and safeguard the principles of fairness, respect, and decency for years to come.
Join the conversation on how leadership shapes our future. Share your thoughts below or explore more on fostering healthy workplaces.
Markus Zehentner
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