Prepare for a shocking revelation: there’s a 1 in 5 chance that your boss is a bona fide psychopath! Yes, you read that right. A 2017 study by forensic psychologist Nathan Brooks, from Bond University, revealed that over 20% of CEOs exhibited psychopathic traits. But what does this mean, exactly?
Psychopaths, as defined by the study, lack sincerity, have a shallow emotional depth, and struggle with empathy. They can experience fear, but often fail to recognize genuine danger. This raises an important question: how do so many psychopaths rise to positions of power?
According to Brooks, it’s because personality type isn’t a consideration in hiring processes. This has allowed “successful psychopaths” to climb the corporate ladder, often engaging in unethical or illegal behaviors for personal gain.
But here’s where it gets controversial: only 1% of the general population are psychopaths, so why are they so prevalent in leadership roles? The answer lies in the nature of certain jobs. Psychopaths are drawn to fields like politics, extreme sports, and business, where their personality traits can be an advantage.
So, how can you tell if your boss is a psychopath? Professor William Hirstein, Ph.D., Chair of the Philosophy Department at Elmhurst College, identifies several core traits: a lack of caring, emotional detachment, especially from shame, guilt, and embarrassment, irresponsibility, distorted speech, insincerity, overconfidence, impulsivity, selfishness, and a tendency towards violence.
It’s important to note that not all of these traits need to be present simultaneously, but psychopaths often exhibit them as situations arise. Additionally, psychopathy can be a result of lived experience, and not solely genetic, which can make it harder to identify.
If you’re still unsure, you could try getting your boss to take a psychopathy quiz. Many psychopaths are extremely charismatic and charming, but their personality flaws often become more apparent over time, especially in long-term roles.
Brooks describes the businesses he studied as resembling prisons, with the CEO acting as the warden, their inner circle as security, and the workers as prisoners. It’s a chilling analogy, but one that rings true for many.
So, the next time you feel like your job is a life sentence, remember: you’re not being dramatic. The science backs you up.
I, for one, have had my fair share of psychopathic bosses. One made us all stay overnight during a snowstorm to ensure we’d be on time the next day. It’s a crazy world out there, but at least in the arts and publishing, the madness is more approachable.
And that’s the part most people miss: it’s not just about identifying psychopaths, it’s about understanding the conditions that allow them to thrive.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think personality type should be a factor in hiring? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments!