Why we started expecting leaders to manage our feelings

Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert joins Fox & Friends Weekend to analyze the recent 'No Kings' anti-Trump protests across the nation, including Washington, Boston, and Tampa Bay. Alpert describes the rallies as 'bad group therapy' and a manifestation of 'grievance culture,' where participants seek validation and emotional release. He expresses concern that this intense political focus, particularly among liberals, prevents people from enjoying life. A patient recently described his boss as "emotionally unsafe." What he meant, after a few minutes of unpacking it, was something much simpler: his boss had given him blunt feedback, set a clear deadline, and didn’t spend much time softening the message. That exchange has become remarkably common and captures a much larger cultural shift. Americans now expect authority figures to do more than lead. We expect them to absorb anxiety, validate emotions, and reduce discomfort before they ever make a demand. In other words, we now want leaders to behave like therapists. That may feel good in the moment, but it’s often terrible for performance. Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks in the huddle during the second round of the