Howard Ng
July 29, 2019

To celebrate the final season of the hit HBO series, we are exploring leadership styles of the (surviving) contenders to the throne, and the lessons they can teach us about leadership in the real world.

Warning: spoilers for the series finale of Game of Thrones ahead!

When Season 8 of the show began, we all knew that at least two key characters were on a direct collision course: Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen. Both are self-made Queens who are vying for the same position, to be the ruler of Westeros and the Seven Kingdoms. Most of us were rooting for the Mother of Dragons to win, but would Dany really have been a better leader compared to Cersei? As the tragic final two episodes of the season indicate, that may not be the case.

So how did we get here? Now that we’ve had time to let the finale sink in, let’s explore Dany’s leadership journey.

Fire and Blood – The Authoritarian Leader of Westeros


According to leadership research, Authoritarian Leadership refers to “a leader’s behaviour of asserting strong authority and control over subordinates and demanding unquestioned obedience from them”. They demand their followers to achieve their best performance, and often are the sole decision-makers for their team. Does that sound like anyone we know?

Lesson 1: Authoritarian leaders do not listen to input from others 


Authoritarian leaders decide alone, give orders to staff and expect them to carry them out, based on unilateral, top-down communication. This style of leadership, characterized by one-way communication channels, suggests that authoritarian leaders are mostly not interested in feedback, and that followers do not have influence and control over the decision-making process.


At times, Dany is guilty of this. In episode 6 of Season 7, Tyrion Lannister, the Hand to the Queen, raised the topic of succession. Who will replace Dany if she falls in battle? Tyrion advised Dany to determine a method to select her successor in the event of her untimely death (as she is unable to have children), in order to ensure that her legacy and mission lives on. Dany refused to consider his suggestion, demanding Tyrion to start thinking “short term” instead.

However, Dany has also demonstrated a willingness to listen to advice when necessary. When Cersei’s army destroyed the Tyrells of Highgarden – Dany’s newfound allies – she was furious, and dead-set on bringing her dragons to Kings Landing to burn Cersei’s entire city down. But in a surprising move, Dany actively solicited advice from someone outside her circle, Jon Snow, on what she should do instead:

Upon hearing Jon’s advice, Dany settled on a compromise. Instead of burning down Cersei’s kingdom and killing the innocent people who in the city, Dany chose to attack the Lannister army on the battlefield instead – far away from the everyday people of Westeros.


The authoritarian leadership style isn’t inherently negative; when utilised correctly, this style of leadership can be liberating for people who work well with clear directives under leaders who understand exactly what people do and why their roles are important. 

Lesson 2: Authoritarian Leaders get things done and take decisive action.


By requiring subordinates to obey their rules or face punishment if they do not follow orders, followers are a likely to gain a better understanding of what they should do or should not do as a team member. As a result, authoritarian leaders are likely to enhance followers’ sense of identity as group members, in terms of their attitudes and behaviour, which further motivates employees to perform at a high level. Research also suggests that authoritarian leaders are likely to achieve operational performance by fostering a highly centralized decision-making structure.


For a key example of this, look no further than the scene where Dany earned her “Breaker of Chains” title, one of the most iconic moments of the show’s history. When faced with the decision on whether she should buy an army of Unsullied soldiers from a slave owner, Dany was consistently counselled against it by her two closest advisors, Jorah Mormont and Ser Barristan Selmy. However, Dany decided to make an executive decision of her own instead: She agreed to trade one of her dragons for the Unsullied army, as well as their translator, Missandei. You remember what happened next:

It was a decision that her followers were not privy to, but it was one that led her to free a whole city of slaves, and garnered her the undying loyalty of the freed Unsullied soldiers.



Authoritarian leadership can be effective when the organization or team is in a state of constant flux, and the nature of work requires instant decisions during stressful situations. They drive team results by providing clear expectations for what needs to be done, when it should be done, and how it should be done. Dany, to her credit, has demonstrated in the past that she knows when to listen, and when to disregard advice in order to make her own judgements. In fact, her right-hand woman Missandei explains it best:

Missandei has been one of Dany’s closest confidant throughout the series, so it makes sense that her death was the catalyst the show deployed to kickstart Dany’s descent into violence, and to turn her typically effective authoritarian leadership style into a toxic one instead.

Lesson 3: Authoritative Leaders may become toxic when utilised in the wrong context


Toxic leadership is evident when leaders demonstrate aggression towards their employees’ personalities and abilities. A leader is considered toxic if they create serious long-term harm to their followers, and common characteristics shared among toxic leaders include ethical failure and neurosis, both of which were exhibited by Dany when she decided to violate her principles and burn down a whole city of innocent people (ethical failure), and her off-kilter reaction when Jon Snow confronted her about her actions (neurosis). But how did it come to this?


Psychological research has proposed the Toxic Triangle as the characters of leaders, followers, and environmental contexts that allow for destructive leadership to thrive:


The first component of the toxic triangle is associated with the Destructive Leader, which is determined by the leader’s Charisma, their need to utilise power for personal gain (Personalised Power), their sense of entitlement to their power (Narcissism), their tendency to speak about themselves in terms of negative life stories (Negative Life Themes), and their worldview of vanquishing rivals and destroying despised enemies (Ideology of Hate).


The second component of the toxic triangle is associated with Susceptible Followers. Followers play an obviously crucial role in the leadership process, however this model suggests that there are two types of followers that appear to be unable to resist domineering leaders and that inadvertently contribute towards their leaders’ destructive behaviour: 1) Conformers, who comply with destructive leaders out of fear and a desire to meet unmet basic needs (see: Unsullied), and 2) Colluders, who actively participate in the leader’s agenda out of their own self-interest (looking at you, Varys). 


The third component is in relation to Conducive Environment – the external context allows for destructive leadership to thrive: instability, perceived thread, cultural values, and the absence of checks and balances.


Let’s explore the conducive environments that led Dany towards her most destructive moment in Kings Landing:


Instability: Her army was significantly dwindled from the Battle of Winterfell (Instability)


Perceived Threat: Cersei Lannister, and Dany’s belief that her own supporters (e.g. Jon, Sansa, Varys, and Tyrion) are trying to undermine her claim to the throne.


Cultural Values: Dany’s strong adherence to the Targaryen Motto: “I will take what is mine, with Fire and Blood”, as well as the Dothraki’s focus on plundering new lands and taking resources by force.


Lack of Checks and Balances: The showrunners have been very intentional with eliminating Dany’s circle of advisors ever since she gained power, from Ser Barristan Selmy, to Jorah, and, ultimately, Missandei. Towards the end of the season, Dany essentially lost everyone she can trust to respectfully oppose her and keep her more aggressive impulses in check.


When we look back at Dany’s journey in Season 8, and we can start to see how aligned she was to the three components of the toxic triangle, the perfect storm that led to her ultimate downfall.


If you would like to know more about toxic leadership, or how you can prevent hiring toxic leaders through the use of psychometric assessment contact us today.

Collaborating on safety with Chandler Macleod
By Karla Illingworth February 13, 2025
Workplace safety is a shared responsibility. Learn how Chandler Macleod collaborates with employees and clients to build a safer work environment through communication, empowerment, and strong partnerships.
Safety Messaging
By Karla Illingworth February 13, 2025
Discover why safety messaging is a shared responsibility in the workplace. Learn how clear communication and proactive reporting create a safer environment for everyone.
By Karla Illingworth February 12, 2025
At Chandler Macleod, safety is everyone's responsibility. Whether you're an employee, contractor, or labour hire, your role directly impacts workplace safety - not just for yourself, but for those around you. This blog will explore: Why understanding your role is essential for safety The importance of reporting any changes in your role How we all contribute to a strong safety culture Remember, we are all Safety Leaders! The Foundation: Understanding YOUR Role Your role is more than just your tasks—it’s about how your work connects to the safety of your team and the overall workplace. Some connections are obvious, while others are less visible. By recognising these links, we can actively contribute to a safer work environment and reinforce our commitment to quality and safety. The Pillars: How You Perform Your Role Matters Safe work practices are designed to protect you and those around you. Following established procedures minimises risks and enhances productivity. If you have suggestions for improving safety measures, speak up! Thoughtful work design creates a more efficient and secure workplace for everyone. The Change: New Role, New Responsibilities If your role changes—whether through new duties, a different project, or a shift in team structure you must inform Chandler Macleod immediately. We assess job risks and ensure you're paid correctly based on your assigned role. Any changes must be communicated so we can keep safety protocols up to date and ensure your well-being. Talking openly about safety—whether in meetings, training sessions, or daily conversations—helps strengthen our collective safety culture. Empowering Our People Every worker has the power to make the workplace safer. If you see a risk or experience a role change affecting safety, you must report it. Taking action early prevents hazards from turning into incidents. As Safety Leaders, we look out for each other and foster a culture where everyone feels empowered to speak up. Understanding your role, communicating changes, and embracing our shared responsibility for safety are key to maintaining a safe workplace. By staying informed, engaging in safety discussions, and supporting one another, we can build a culture of safety together.  Always remember: We are all Safety Leaders!
Chandler Macleod joins Social Traders Image
By Kimberley Dawson February 5, 2025
Chandler Macleod is a certified corporate member of Social Traders, reinforcing our commitment to ESG principles and social procurement. Learn how this partnership supports social enterprises and drives meaningful community impact.
Meet our School Crossing Superstars!
January 21, 2025
Meet our School Crossing Superstars! Meet the people who value community, and learn why they think that being a School Crossing Supervisor is a fantastic opportunity!
Chandler Macleod achieves Platinum Status
By Kimberley Dawson January 16, 2025
Discover how RGF Staffing ANZ, including Chandler Macleod, achieved Platinum status on the EcoVadis Sustainability Scorecard, placing us in the top 1% of companies globally. Learn what this milestone means for our sustainability journey and commitment to responsible business practices.
2025 New Years Resolutions for Leaders
By Kimberley Dawson December 19, 2024
Discover 7 actionable leadership resolutions to inspire growth, foster innovation, and drive organisational success. Learn tips on tackling tough conversations, leveraging psychometric tools, enhancing employee engagement, and more!
Image of woman shaking hands with male colleague at the beginning of an interview process
By Kimberley Dawson December 19, 2024
Discover the top questions to ask during a job interview in Australia. Learn from expert recruiters how to make a lasting impression, evaluate company culture, and stand out as a candidate.
Woman in christmas hat looking sad because she is stressed at work
By Karla Illingworth December 6, 2024
Prioritise mental wellbeing this Christmas with tips to manage holiday stress, foster workplace support, and create a healthier, happier season. Special tips from Karla our Health and Safety Advisor.
Pre-employment program participant
By Kimberley Dawson December 4, 2024
Discover how Chandler Macleod’s RISE programs empower women through tailored training, mentorship, and meaningful employment opportunities. Learn how we transform lives, foster diversity, and create lasting impact for participants and employers alike.
More Posts
Share by: