"The victim always dreams of swapping places with the persecutor," my therapist once dropped that gem. If the chance comes, the wounded one unleashes a cruelty that shocks him and everyone.
First lesson: in deals, don't squeeze a business partner dry if fate hands you a royal flush. He will swallow the loss in the game. But humiliation? He will start plotting revenge. Why would you need that?
Far better to dodge the victim spot yourself. Sooner or later, you'll unleash your worst—hate, hypocrisy, cunning, heartlessness—anything to make him the fallen one.
Sadly, the temptation is strong, because the victim gains secret power. Someone else is always responsible for his situation. And he? He is entitled to demand and do absolutely everything.
The victim rises above any law, turning... into God.
In myths, this is called hubris. In religion — pride. In psychology — the dark triad: psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism. No happiness here, just schadenfreude — joy from another’s pain.
Brr… Not the best perspective — a willing slide into a personal hell.
The way out sits right where the way in did—I own what happens to me. Sure, the world is full of malice, incompetence, indifference, and bad luck.
But the best call is to step out of the victim–villain trap. What say you?
Yours sincerely,
-Alexander
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.
Stuck? Your business grows when you do. I’m your business therapist to guide your shift. See testimonials here. Ready? Book your Catalyst session.