The 9 Most Common Personality Traits In Cult Leaders

With hit documentaries like “Love Has Won” and “Escaping Twin Flames” and podcasts like “Let’s Talk About Sects” and “Escaping NXIVM,” it’s clear the public fascination with all things cult is alive and well.

So too are audiences curious about cult leaders, who manage to compel everyday people to adopt outlandish beliefs and do horrible things.

“Cult leaders are notable for the enormous amount of power they have over their group,” Ashlen Hilliard, a cult intervention specialist and founder of People Leave Cults, told HuffPost. “This power is what many look for when defining a cult, but it’s not the only aspect that creates a cult leader. When you take a closer look, a cult leader often exhibits a classic set of traits and behaviors. Although there is variety in how these traits present, certain themes tend to ring true.”

We asked Hilliard and other experts to break down some of those common characteristics. Here’s what they said:

Charisma

“Cult leaders are often highly charismatic and persuasive, with a magnetic personality that can attract and influence followers,” Hilliard said.

Cult leaders tend to be charming and clever, and use that charm to persuade people that doing what the leader commands is the best way to achieve their personal goals.

“They would never have followers if they didn’t know how to make people feel special and like they’re actually the center of attention,” said mental health counselor and leading cult expert Steven Hassan. “They say the right words, but it’s not genuine. It’s acting.”

Social psychologist and cult expert Alexandra Stein emphasized that being charming is not inherently toxic, however.

“Charisma is a personality trait that may be common amongst cult leaders, but if you know