I’m wondering proper procedure for removing an authoritarian leader?
It’s a bit of a unique circumstance.
Where I’m located, there was a ferocious appetite for a new local political party. So a group of citizens collaborated and decided to start one.
I played no part in initiating this, but I was an active spectator, curious how this would unfold.
Instead of starting from scratch, the group concluded it’d be best to ask an old, dormant party to represent them. It appeared that their political stances lined up.
The old name was changed, the founder became the interim leader, and he chose the CFO and 2 others to be on the board.
Another fellow and myself (the 5th and 6th board member) were voted in.
He tried to fill the rolls of President and Vice President, but I proposed we wait until all board seats were filled. All agreed. We did appoint a chair.
It was publicly laid out, from the beginning, that he was an intern leader. He was openly accepting this.
It appears, however, like he’s changed his tune.
This party holds libertarian views. It was created to fight for freedom of speech, opinion and choice.
So I was quite shocked to witness very authoritarian behaviour from the interim leader at a board meeting. He went on quite a rant to put the board members in their place.
Making it aggressively known that he is in control, that he’s not an interim leader but THE leader, and that he’s the only one who holds power. If we do not support his leadership we have no place on the board, making it clear that he has the authority to remove us.
On the tail of his rant he had his hand picked CFO put forth a motion that we vote for him as the party leader.
(It was previously agreed upon that the members would vote at a specified time, after a leadership race.)
If I’ve ever felt bullied into compliance it was then.
I was stunned, literally speechless. I voted with a thumbs-up, sideways grin, and my head down. My response wasn’t intentionally, it happened so fast, it took by surprise, that was just my knee-jerk reaction.
Moments before this meeting I almost quit. (I had my resignation letter written). But I wanted to see what would come out of the meeting before making a final decision.
Part of my reason for complying with that vote was because I already decided to leave. (And because the motion would have passed despite, as everyone else was in favour).
Before this meeting, my motive for leaving was due to the fact that the expectations that the leader laid out, to bringing me on board, were different then what I was witnessing.
I saw deceit but I didn’t want to stir the pot. That wasn’t what I signed up for.
I planned to say, “there was a misunderstanding regarding what I was getting myself into and it’s in everyones best interest that I step down.”
After explaining my experience (in confidence), with the fellow who recruited me; (apart from being dumbfounded), he made it clear that I was needed now more then ever.
He pleaded with me to remain on the board so that I could help rectify the situation and save this party.
It appears (to me) as though we were chosen due to our age and perceived naivety. (3 of the 6 members are in their mid 20’s. One is 30. I’m 36, and the only female)
I believe the leader is 57.
So now I feel a sense of obligation to the party and to the members to clean up this mess (aka have this fellow removed from the board) and have the party function as it should. (With a plan to bring in older, wiser, more experienced individuals).
My recruiter proposed moving ahead with the leadership race and aim to have him voted out. (Although he’d still be on the board then).
He tried to thwart this convention and delay it from taking place, but the board didn’t agree, (thankfully).
My biggest question is how much unilateral authority does he have?
Is there a way for the board to remove him beforehand? (Assuming they’d agree with the decision to do so)?
What must be added to the constitution for this to happen? It’s currently in draft form with the plan who ratify at the leadership convention.
That is, however, a few months away. I fear the damage he’ll do in that time.
He successfully pulls the wool over eyes when he speaks. It’s hard to sit back and watch.
I’ve only been on the board 11 days and I’ve collected a mountain of evidence to reveal his lies, manipulation, deceit, as well as lack of leadership competency.
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In my day job, I help professionals become excellent communicators, and show them how to manage conflict with tact.
A big part of this is identifying dangerous and destructive behaviour. So I’m well able to point out what I’m seeing. I’m just not sure the “proper” way to go about it dealing with the issue at hand.
What are my options?
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Thanks in advance
