The Claps That Conceal Knives: Leadership and the Illusion of Support

A Story of Trust Gone Wrong

Ravi, an ambitious entrepreneur, had spent years building his logistics startup from scratch. He had a mentor, someone he looked up to, who always praised his vision in public. “Ravi is the future of logistics,” the mentor would say at conferences, making introductions that seemed promising.

But something else was happening behind the scenes. Ravi discovered that this same mentor was secretly pitching a?similar business idea to investors, using Ravi’s hard work as inspiration. The betrayal hit like a punch to the gut. How could someone who claimed to support him be the very person working against him?

The truth is, not everyone who claps for you wants to see you win. In leadership, recognizing the difference between genuine supporters and hidden saboteurs is a skill as crucial as strategy or execution.

The Friend Who Loved Failure

Take another case. A young woman named Priya was on a fitness journey, determined to transform her health. Every time she posted progress pictures, her best friend would comment: “Wow, body goals!” But in person, the same friend would insist on dragging her to dessert cafés, laughing off Priya’s efforts as unnecessary.

This wasn’t just about fitness—it was about the subtle ways people try to derail progress while pretending to cheer you on. In the workplace, you’ll find people who praise your presentations but steal your ideas, who encourage your promotions but sow doubt about your abilities.

The Colleague Who Kept Moving the Goalpost

Arjun, a rising star in his corporate firm, was often praised by his boss. "You have great potential," his manager would say, acknowledging his hard work. But whenever it came time for promotions or high-visibility projects, Arjun found himself mysteriously sidelined. His boss would suggest that he "just needed a little more experience" or that "next year would be a better time." It took Arjun a while to realise that this wasn’t encouragement—it was strategic delay. His manager was keeping him close, making him feel valued while ensuring he never became a threat.

The Teammate Who Applauded But Never Assisted

In a fast-paced tech startup, Meera led an innovative project that could revolutionize customer experience. Her colleague, Sandeep, would publicly praise her work, calling it "game-changing." But when it came time to present to investors, he conveniently failed to forward crucial emails, omitted her contributions, and subtly took credit for ideas she had pioneered.

This was a classic case of passive sabotage—one where support exists in words but not in action. Meera eventually learned that trust should be earned through actions, not applause.

?The Cost of Fake Support in Leadership

For leaders, the most dangerous obstacles often don’t come from competitors—they come from within the circle of trust. Indian business history has seen its fair share of such incidents. One of the country’s most respected industrialists, Ratan Tata, once faced internal resistance when he aimed to take Tata Motors global with the launch of the Indica. Some within his own leadership doubted him, whispering that it was a mistake. But real leaders don’t just hear applause; they listen for intent.

Similarly, Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy had his share of challenges when some of his closest colleagues resisted the very idea of expanding beyond Indian markets. If he had listened to the masked doubt disguised as “concern,” the IT powerhouse we know today may have never existed.

How to Identify Fake Supporters

Leadership is often a lonely road, but recognising the right voices can make all the difference. Here’s how you spot fake supporters:

?? They celebrate you in public but undermine you in private – If someone always praises you but never defends you when it matters, that’s a red flag.

?? They bring doubts, not solutions – A real mentor will challenge you but will also guide you. Fake supporters will list problems without offering help.

?? Their enthusiasm fades when you actually succeed – Watch how people react when you win. Some will celebrate. Others will downplay it or change the subject.

?? They mirror your ideas instead of contributing to them – If someone only “supports” by copying what you do, they may not be as supportive as they seem.

What Real Leadership Support Looks Like

Every successful leader needs true allies, the ones who:

? Show up even when there’s nothing to gain. ? Offer constructive criticism instead of passive-aggressive doubts. ? Celebrate your wins like they’re their own. ? Remind you of your strengths when you’re struggling.

Real support isn’t loud—it’s consistent.

Conclusion: Leading Beyond the Illusions

The world of leadership isn’t about avoiding enemies—it’s about recognizing false friends. The applause that feels reassuring today could be the very thing hiding a silent betrayal. True leadership requires wisdom, observation, and the courage to walk away from hollow praise.

So the next time someone claps for you, ask yourself: Are they celebrating me or distracting me?

Because in the end, real success isn’t about who cheers for you -it’s about who stands beside you when the lights go off.