Leadership Lessons of Triangular Desire from René Girard

René Girard examined famous novels depicting something he called displaced desire, in which a follower emulates someone believed to be exemplary. These relationships can become problematic, twisted, and even contagious, as people affect desires only because someone else exhibits them. This often results in inauthentic choices and rivalry, which Girard diagnoses. In the last section of the paper are some implications for the practice and study of leadership.