I can think of three instances when people I admired let their power and image get the better of them.
My first job as a pastry cook was with a very large and well-known French patisserie ruled over by a guy who had become a living legend in the pastry world. My wife and I started working there at about the same time, I in the kitchen and she in the office. I was in awe of this guy based on his reputation…until he started hitting on my wife (he was 80 at the time).
A few years later, I got a job with a guy who had the same stature in the chocolate world (he’s still seen as some kind of chocolate demi-god). I was a bit more cynical about culinary celebrity going into this job, but I still had an illusion of being incredibly lucky to be allowed to learn at the feet of the master…until he groped me.
Many years later, my long-time Zen teacher was caught in violation of commonly accepted standards prohibiting sexual relationships between teachers and students, and having lied to cover it up. It was an isolated instance, as far as anyone knows, but there was still plenty of damage done, and he left of his own accord. I wasn’t involved in the incident, but I was stuck with cleaning up the institutional mess.
What I’ve taken away from all these episodes is a deeper insight into the dynamics of power, especially the kind of power that admiration confers. I don’t think any of these guys were monsters, and they certainly weren’t heroes either. I see that putting anyone on a pedestal does both them and you a great disservice. I would never ever want to viewed as someone “special”.