He was gentle, yet firm with me as he pointed out that without some sort of leadership, things will tend to move towards anarchy. Often corporate executives are only figureheads, but even a figurehead can inspire the people to greater accomplishment, assuming they care about the people and aren't just self-serving do nothing monarchists. If you support and encourage your people, they can make you successful. If you undermine and degrade your people, they can destroy you.