Bad leaders need unquestioning obedience

Bad leaders need unquestioning obedience. They don't just want obedience - they actually need unquestioning obedience in order to maintain their power. From A Just Determination:

A good leader doesn't need unquestioning obedience. People follow that leader because they choose to, because that leader has their trust. A poor leader requires unquestioning obedience, because without that, a poor leader will lose all meaningful ability to exercise command.

Think about that the next time you feel yourself becoming defensive.

The same passage (it's a fiction book, BTW) talks about how poor leaders need better followers.