The 50th Law (with 50 Cent)

The Shadow Enabler:
Leaders are often in a difficult position. They
have to bear the responsibility for what happens to the group and the

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stress that goes with that. At the same time, they must maintain a
reputation that is above reproach. More than others, they have to keep
their Shadow side (see chapter 9) under wraps. This could be
extramarital desires they have had to repress, or paranoia about the
loyalty of everyone around them, or the craving to do some violence
against a hated enemy. Unconsciously their Shadow is yearning to
come out. In steps the Enabler, one of the cleverest and most diabolical
courtiers of all.
These types often are closer to their own Shadow, aware of their
own darkest yearnings. In childhood they probably felt these desires
deeply but had to repress them, which made such desires all the more
powerful and obsessive. As adults, they search for complicit partners
with whom they can bring the Shadow out into the open. They are
masters at detecting repressed desires in others, including leaders.
They may begin in conversation to broach somewhat taboo subjects,
but in a nonthreatening, jocular way. The leader falls into the spirit
and opens up a bit. Having established contact with the leader’s
Shadow, the Enabler then takes this further, with suggestions of
possible actions for leaders, ways to vent their frustrations, with the
Enabler handling it all and serving as protection.
Charles Colson, special counsel to President Nixon, carved out just
such a role for himself. He knew his boss to be quite paranoid about all
of the enemies supposedly surrounding him. Nixon was also quite
insecure about his own masculinity and yearned to punish his
purported enemies and display some swagger. He felt deeply frustrated
in not being able to act on these desires. Colson played on his worst
instincts, allowing Nixon to vent his feelings in meetings and then
insinuating ways to act on them, such as revenge schemes against
hated reporters. Nixon found this too tempting and too therapeutic to
resist. Colson shared some of these hidden sadistic desires himself,
and so this was the perfect way for him to live out his own Shadow.
In any court, there are inevitably those with a low character, who
live for scheming and knocking heads. They are not overtly violent or
evil but simply have fewer compunctions than others. If they are
Enablers and inveigle their way into a position close to the boss, there
is little you can do against them. It is too dangerous to cross such
types, unless what they are planning is so dark that it is worth risking
your own position to stop them. Take heart that their careers are
generally short. They often serve as the fall guy if what they advocated,

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or acted on, becomes public. Be aware that they may try to play the
game with you. Do not take the first step into any dubious actions they
are trying to draw you into. Your clean reputation is the most
important thing you possess. Maintain a polite distance.