Subordinates usually enable difficult leaders because they share the same ideology or because they are scared of the leader.

For Ozymandias, the people surrounding him likely benefitted from his policies. For example, they were the kind of people who owned slaves and got the benefit of free labor. They were able to live in the shadow of a Pharoh and share in the many perks that came with the highest position in Egypt. Many of the people who were subordinate to him were likely raised in the same type of privileged lifestyle and with similar belief systems. Chances are that they agreed with the ideas and policies that he implemented.

Another reason that people follow leaders like Ozymandias is fear. Strong leaders with total control and absolute power can have people—and their families—killed or banished if the mood strikes them. Supporting Ozymandias was one way of ensuring their own safety as long as he was in power. If they spoke against him, the words might be the last thing they ever said. Egyptian pharaohs were considered to be gods. They were the connection to the gods during their life and then were raised to spend eternity as a god after death.