ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the idea that leaders seek, primarily, guaranteed attachments to others, while money, sex and the other benefits that accrue from the position of leadership are secondary. These leaders have a childhood history of a certain type of disorganized attachment and it is this that they play out in their group leadership methods and motivation. This need to control others drives the particular isolating and top-heavy structure of the totalist group. The chapter will show the similarities in structure across these varying sizes and types of totalist group and how this structure reflects the personality and attachment needs of the leader. The structure serves to isolate the follower from the outside world, from trusting attachments with others in the group, and from their own internal, reflective dialogue.
