Leader or Psychopath? A Short Guide to Recognizing Corporate Predators
Leader or Psychopath? Most of us associate psychopaths with serial killers like Ted Bundy or Hannibal Lector. Yet, people with psychopathic traits penetrate all walks of life. In corporations they do not physically kill, but leave behind disgruntled teams, damaged careers, and possibly financial or reputational damage. They could destroy your career too For that reason we ve put together a list of tell- tale signs red flags that could help you protect yourself, your career, team, or company. Recognizing people with psychopathic traits is not an easy task. Even experienced professionals can get (temporarily) charmed into believing that the charismatic new employee is the knight in shining armor he or she appears to be. However, psychopaths are not perfect: they leave behind a trail that exposes them as predators who are loyal to no one but themselves. Who in the long run disappoint, underperform, destroy. What are some of the tell- tail signs that point to a corporate psychopath? This short list is based on scientific research, but is not a diagnostic instrument. If you suspect that a person with psychopathic traits operates in your company, please contact a specialized professional or the Aftermath Foundation for further assistance. Their talk overshadows their walk Tell- tale signs of corporate predators! Upon entering a company, their superficial charm and charismatic style creates the appearance that they possess desirable (i.e., leadership) qualities. o Psychopaths are very adept at employment interviews. They have no qualms lying on their resumes or during face- to- face interviews, and say whatever it takes to get the job. They make amazing first impressions, and first impressions can last a long time, masking the bad things they will do once hired. o Unless you have pre- existing information, it s nearly impossible to unmask them at this point.! They look and dress the same way as most business people, but present larger- than- life personalities: confident, charming, persuasive, charismatic. o Upon first meeting them, they are often likeable and fun to be around. In fact, their superficial charm may entice you to want to interact with them and gain their approval. Who would suspect a person like this of being a predator?
o What you do not know is that they are assessing you and your utility to them they are seeking Pawns and Patrons. " Pawns unwittingly provide the psychopath with goods, services, adoration, and often do their work for them. " Patrons are typically members of the upper management, who protect, defend and promote the psychopath into higher levels of responsibility.! People with psychopathic traits establish an influence network normally based on one- on- one interaction with co- workers what is described as the Psychopathic Bond 1.The Psychopathic Bond is based on lies and manipulation and the ability of psychopaths to analyze their victim s hot spots and weaknesses. At this stage, the psychopath will identify Pawns and Patrons whom they can manipulate, and others, the organizational Police, (typically individuals in the HR and accounting departments), who may get in their way down the road.! Although they are good at establishing seemingly intense psychological and emotional bonds with individuals, psychopaths are unable to build a team. Where genuine leaders seek cohesiveness, psychopaths manipulate and create conflict. Teams lead by a psychopath will be likely characterized by o subgroups with diametrically opposing opinions, especially so concerning the leader/psychopath: intense positives vs. intense negatives; o frequent conflicts amongst team members; o distrust and lack of open and honest communication.! They lack integrity and wisdom, are insincere, untrustworthy, insensitive to the feelings of others, and are loyal to no one but themselves. o Psychopaths are only interested in their own success never the company s. o When pawns are no longer useful, or when they realize they are being played, the psychopath will discard them and discredit them in the company. o Patrons will be treated the same way, and can consider themselves lucky if the psychopath did not take over their job.! They have a belief in their superiority over other people and the law, a sense of entitlement, and a belief that all blame lies with other people.! They disrespect, use and abuse people, creating psychological and emotional turmoil in their victims. Yet this is hidden from upper management who often believe the psychopath s mask, that he or she is an outstanding employee and good leader.! Red Flags to look for: Be aware when o you find yourself doing extra favors or jobs for a charming leader or co- worker, especially when you want them like you and approve of you, or
because you do not want to lose the great future they promised to you (you could be a pawn!); o this person makes you feel guilty when you do not deliver them favors; o this person tells you disparaging information about other team members or employees; you may mistake such information sharing as building closeness with you, however, the psychopath can speak just as badly about you as he or she speaks about others (and sooner or later will); o you find yourself repeatedly defending this person against co- workers who are not taken in by his or her charm; o you defend this person because you cannot believe that such a likeable person would do anything wrong, or even when you realize they misbehaved, you believe it was a genuine mistake; o your team is afflicted by ill- informed decision- making, conflicts, low morale, increased risk and reduced productivity, and the leader blames all the maladies on something or someone else; o you are in a management position and a charming, up- and- coming employee does a lot of favors for your secretary or other people who work close with you and/or frequently shares company gossip with them; if you promote, protect and defend this employee, you could be a patron whose job is in danger. One of the biggest challenges in identifying corporate psychopaths is that in day- to- day activities they often bear the hallmarks of good leaders through their charm, charisma, and larger- than- life personalities. However, actions speak louder than words. Sticking to facts and resisting the temptation to be swayed by charisma will help you to distinguish between genuine leaders and corporate predators. 1 Snakes In Suits: When Psychopaths Go To Work, Paul Babiak, Ph.D. & Robert D. Hare, Ph.D. (HarperCollins, 2006). About Aftermath Aftermath: Surviving Psychopathy Foundation is dedicated to educating the public regarding the nature of psychopathy and its cost to individuals and society. The Foundation supports research that aims to prevent or minimize the development of psychopathic traits, reduce the impact of psychopathic traits, and understand and treat the aftermath of psychopathy. The ultimate goal of the foundation is to reduce the negative impact of psychopathy on the families and victims of psychopathic individuals. Please click here if you would like to become a member of Aftermath or support its mission.
Disclaimer The information you'll find in this Guide is to inform and educate you. We make no promise or guarantee that the Guide will protect you in encounters with people with psychopathic traits. The Guide is not a diagnostic instrument and may not be used for assessment of employees. If you suspect that a person with psychopathic traits operates in your company, or is otherwise affecting you, please seek advice from professionals trained in these matters or contact the Aftermath Foundation for further assistance: http://aftermath- surviving- psychopathy.org/index.php/contact- us/ Copyright and Trademark Information This report is protected by U.S. and International copyright laws. The reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, republication, or display of the content in this report is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from The Aftermath Foundation. This report is for your use only. You may not give this report away or share it with others. Any trademarked names mentioned in this report are the sole property of their respective companies.