Transgressive leaders enjoy growing support and influence.

Evidence suggests transgressive leaders are appealing not despite their transgressions, but because of them.

The appeal of transgressive leaders hinges on perceived benefits emanating from their actions.

Transgressive leaders are on the rise. News reports regularly feature fraud, racism, hate speech, sexual misconduct, democratic undermining, and other types of violations by leaders—from captains of industry to influencers to presidents of nations.

One might expect such transgressions to be met with sanctions. However, people often turn a blind eye to leaders who violate norms of fairness, honesty, decency, or care. What’s more, the outcomes of political elections across the globe indicate people willingly vote transgressive leaders into office.

Scientific evidence, too, shows that responses to transgressions are less negative than one might intuit. A qualitative study of 246 incidents of norm-violating behavior revealed explicitly negative reactions in only about a third of the cases; in other cases, reactions were neutral, mixed, or even positive.

This is puzzling. Cultures all around the world emphasize the importance of doing good. The value of a virtuous life is highlighted in all major religions. It is reinforced through cultural products, from children’s books to Hollywood movies. Why, then, are transgressive leaders endorsed? Psychological research offers three interrelated answers.

Understanding the appeal of transgressive leaders

First, moral judgments are not absolute; they are malleable and context-dependent. What may seem like basic moral principles are not equally shared by everyone. For example, whereas notions of honesty and equality........

© Psychology Today