Two real cases (quotes paraphrased):

“Of course they’ll stay. Where are they going to go?” said a highly-paid nonprofit leader to his board after cutting everyone else’s salary by 25% because, you know, the economy and his vision.

“They came with no skills; I taught them everything,” said another leader when asked how he managed to avoid turnover.

To attack Stockholm Syndrome:

• Interact across the organization. SS leaders use employee non-communication to triangulate.
• Don’t work alone or in some ear-budded isolation. SS leaders crave isolation.  What you don’t know WILL hurt you.
• Love the mission, not the leader. When an SS leader’s actions supersede the mission (if there is one), the ship is sinking, so…
• Continually seek new work. SS leaders may call you a deserter; do you want to work for someone who categorizes people like that?