OK, serious question time:  What is it about us humans that we are compelled to exalt one human over others? 

Whether it is in the business world, the community, the local church, the playground, we human beings are compelled to "idolize" certain people.  Why?  What is it about those "idols" that causes us to exalt them over us? 

I suppose some would argue that it is simply an organizational thing, and it may indeed start out that way.  But there is something innate within us  ... a need to be lead?  a need to worship something/someone?  an aversion to responsibility so we look for a scapegoat? 

It is a puzzle to me.  On one hand, we preach (myself included) equality ... perhaps it is an unattainable ideal.  It makes me crazy to see within certain organizations, some exalted simply as favors, or for reasons other than qualification & experience (history).  It is laughable to me to see some people "wearing" their supposed rank as though it somehow actually makes them better people. 

For example #1:  There is a woman whom we'll call Betty, in her late 50's, only a high school education, but by some unknown ladder, has climbed to an area supervisor position in a local retail chain.  She has no customer service experience, yet is over 15 local managers with many years such experience.  Her only "kudo" is tenure, years with the company.  She wears her position like a crown and I find myself chuckling at the silliness of her behavior.

Example #2:  There is a rather timid fellow, smart, but uneducated who marries the oldest daughter of the boss.  They become Mr. & Mrs. Boss's daughter.  As time passes, Daddy grows older and cannot carry out all the responsibilities of his position.  Mr. Boss's daughter is installed as President with Daddy moving to the position of CEO.  If you meet Mr Boss's daughter anyplace other than his office, he is timid, soft spoken, even downright shy.  Meet him in his office and you see him wearing the mantle of  ... hmmm not sure, Daddy's mantle?  or Boss's daughter's mantle ... not quite sure but it is clear that it doesn't quite fit.  Yet no one says anything ... no one questions the transition ??? 

Example #3 Many of us will agree that there is no place more cruel than the school play ground.  In the average school yard, there is a very specific hierarchy. 

• There is the bully, the one in complete control of students & teachers ... yes indeed!  It may be subtle, but nevertheless, in my 16+ yrs of be being a student plus my 10 yrs as a teacher, I saw it every year!  The Bully may be nice, but he/she is still a manipulator and gains his/her position through intimidation.
• There is the runt.  Just like in a litter of puppies or kittens, there is the runt of the school playground.  Smaller & weaker physically but also wearing a victim's garment, even as early as Kindergarden, this student has an uphill climb from the get-go. 
• There is often, but alas not always, a hero/herione who dares occasionally to take on the bully.  This hero/heroine may also be a bully and may be almost fighting for turf, but in the process often takes up the cause of the runt. 

Now there are other positions, but these are the main ones.  Any of you who work with people should recognize them, yes? 

My question is ... Is this hierarchy system simply Nature's order perpetuating itself?  And if so, where does that leave the concept of equality?  Is not the toe as important as the navel?  I mean, does not each part have equal value?  (I have asked this before ... it is a nagging question to me?)