Is your CEO/MD a psychopath?

thebigbiffo

A new book has come to the conclusion that 4% of CEO’s/MD’s are psychopaths – about 4 times more than the general populace. Linky: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2011/06/14/why-some-psychopaths-make-great-ceos/

My MD is a psychopath; no empathy, remorse, kindness, very egocentric and deceptive and only cares about his own progression and improvement at any cost. He has shamelessly self-promoted himself within the industry throughout his career and continues to do so even though it would be a source of acute embarrassment for ‘normal’ people.

Are these the qualities needed to progress in our corporate, capitalist culture? Will nice guys really finish last? Looks like it. I should change my attitude…if I become a psycho I’ll be 4 times more likely to get that top salary and the sweet perks. Is it worth the trade off?

Please think about the poll before you answer – does your boss display the classic symptoms of psychopathy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopath

orourkeda

Aren;t they all mad

4leto

I read that book "The psychopath test".

I normally like the authors work but not this time it was a stupid book.

thebigbiffo

4leto wrote: »

I read that book "The psychopath test".

I normally like the authors work but not this time it was a stupid book.

Haven’t read this or indeed any of his books – just seems to me like the headline figure of 4 times more likely to be a psycho is correct. You have to be a c’unt to succeed in the corporate environment imo – well, most of the time anyway.

falan

A b*llox maybe.... Psychopath no..

4leto

Here's a version of the test


http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allthetests.com%2Fquiz29%2Fquiz%2F1304080351%2FAre-you-a-sociopath&ei=pjFvTsHLLpCJhQeLzbTGCQ&usg=AFQjCNGymHMfJBjTW6mIeHe4YNj5Ypvd2w

Lollipops23

Have to say mine isn't. She's a bit stand offish but to be honest I don't particularly want to be best mates with my CEO. Other directors in the company are complete narcissistic árseholes now....

Wertz

Last week's Horizon programme had a piece on this reckoning that the traits of a psychopath were the same traits that are sought in leaders, particularly in business and finance, or that they could mimic those traits very successfully. There are probably advantages in having an inherently uncaring and emotionally detached person in control of an organisation in a dog eat dog corporate environment.

SV

Nah not in the slightest.

He is a monster though. 6'8" and about 24 stone I'd say.

watna

No, not at the moment but I do wonder about the CE in my last job. I worked closely with her and while she may not have been a psychopath she was more than a little bit evil. Does that count?!

Dravokivich

After some recent publicity, yeah, he seems a bit nuts, but in fairness, it's boosted sales.

NothingMan

MD is a lovely man. Tight with the company money but generous with his own. Can have a laugh over a few drinks too and will always get a big round in.

Eric Cartman

hmm time to run a big company i suppose

Billy86

Psychopaths and sociopaths are different things of course, but I am quite sure I have hear/dread before than high-ranking CEOs/MDs display more signs of sociopathy than even serial killers.

If true, says it all really.

Aglomerado

I've worked in the civil service, and have seen psychopaths at all levels, CO, EO, HEO etc...

Computer Sci

I’m fed up with all of these silly psychological terms been bandied about these days. It seems nobody simply has problems or bad attributes anymore, there must be “some” disorder behind it. For instance, if a person hates working for somebody, perhaps they have “oppositional defiance disorder”. If a child is been a complete brat, perhaps he is not just been a brat, maybe he has “attention deficit disorder”.

And now it seems that the label psychopath/ sociopath is been bandied about by new age, self-help psychology gurus – popularised by an ever increasing array of psychology/ self-help books, as well as programmes like Oprah and Dr. Phil.

So apparently anybody who lacks empathy or remorse these days isn’t just an inconsiderate or greedy pr!ck – no! They could have psychopathy/ sociopathy. Look, let’s cut all this new age psychology stuff and call a spade a spade. You’re boss may very well be an inconsiderate a-hole, but most likely not a psychopath. Ted Bundy was a psychopath, why? Because he broke into women’s houses at night, kidnapped them from public parks even, often murdered women to have sex with the corpses (necrophilia), and even kept some of his victims heads in his apartment as ornaments.

THAT is a psychopath, true to the word – not every bloody second person who displays a lack of empathy, consideration etc. Terms like psychopathy, sociopathy, ADHD etc. are been bandied about far too often these days.

4leto

thebigbiffo wrote: »

Haven’t read this or indeed any of his books – just seems to me like the headline figure of 4 times more likely to be a psycho is correct. You have to be a c’unt to succeed in the corporate environment imo – well, most of the time anyway.

Not really
The almost traditional view of what a psychopath is, are the serial killers, the mass murderers or the vicious autocrats, Hannibal lecter, Saddam Hussein, Hitler, Stalin and and many others. But they are the rare ones. A whole 1% of the human race are psychopaths most never murder or even break the law.

But they do nave an edge in pursuing any of their goals. They can be intelligent, charming and very manipulative. They also lack empathy or scruples and are capable of doing unconscionable things. They are some of the business leaders, the entrepreneurs, the celebrities and even our politicians.

They are the people who make the world go around. We only know of these when they get caught, or are found out and then scrutinised the Richard Madoff's, Ken Lay's, some of the IT and business billion and millionaires, even Sean Fitzpatrick who IMO displays symptoms.

So of that 1% if you break it down you will find a proportion of them as business leaders but this makes it an insignificant statistical. They are also attracted to big cities so you have a greater proportion of them in London prisons then say Glasgow prisons If I remember correctly an 8 times greater chance.

So if you break it down say there are 100 ceos 4 of them will be psychopathic as oppose to 1 of them for the general population. So the headline and the book promotion implies all of them are which is nonsense.

Although I am not psychopathic I think when circumstances call I can be, for instance if I caught the cnuts that burnt out my car last month I would have been very psychopathic. Also sometimes we are all required to make decisions that will hurt people but we can justify it in our own minds, for instance when a politician shuts a hospital ward or cuts fuel allowance. They know it will hurt people but it has to be done ETC

Dyr

Wertz wrote: »

Last week's Horizon programme had a piece on this reckoning that the traits of a psychopath were the same traits that are sought in leaders, particularly in business and finance, or that they could mimic those traits very successfully. There are probably advantages in having an inherently uncaring and emotionally detached person in control of an organisation in a dog eat dog corporate environment.

I would of thought the traits of a sociopath were more desired in a CEO.

I know our one is

4leto

Bambi wrote: »

I would of thought the traits of a sociopath were more desired in a CEO.

I know our one is

Although they are good at getting to the position and holding it, when there they tend not to be good at there job, or very productive They are to self centred which is not a good trait when you are in a company.

thebigbiffo

Computer Sci wrote: »

I’m fed up with all of these silly psychological terms been bandied about these days. It seems nobody simply has problems or bad attributes anymore, there must be “some” disorder behind it. For instance, if a person hates working for somebody, perhaps they have “oppositional defiance disorder”. If a child is been a complete brat, perhaps he is not just been a brat, maybe he has “attention deficit disorder”.

And now it seems that the label psychopath/ sociopath is been bandied about by new age, self-help psychology gurus – popularised by an ever increasing array of psychology/ self-help books, as well as programmes like Oprah and Dr. Phil.

So apparently anybody who lacks empathy or remorse these days isn’t just an inconsiderate or greedy pr!ck – no! They could have psychopathy/ sociopathy. Look, let’s cut all this new age psychology stuff and call a spade a spade. You’re boss may very well be an inconsiderate a-hole, but most likely not a psychopath. Ted Bundy was a psychopath, why? Because he broke into women’s houses at night, kidnapped them from public parks even, often murdered women to have sex with the corpses (necrophilia), and even kept some of his victims heads in his apartment as ornaments.

THAT is a psychopath, true to the word – not every bloody second person who displays a lack of empathy, consideration etc. Terms like psychopathy, sociopathy, ADHD etc. are been bandied about far too often these days.

I actually completely agree with you in general - but not in this case. The term 'psychopath' implies a specific set of symptoms which I am convinced aid people get ahead in corporate culture. Just because a psychopath does not kill someone does not make them any less a psychopath - you've just taken the pop culture meaning of the word and applied it to your argument.

Lack of empathy or compassion, egocentricity, feelings of superiority, the viewing of other humans as 'tools' to be used and disgarded, all the symptoms - these qualities lend themselves very well to serial killers but this is the argument; they also lend themselves very well to climbing the corporate ladder.

I too hate the culture of assigning mental health issues to almost every bad trait - but psychopathy is a specific mental disorder which is almost as old as psychology itself and it's in the true meaning of the condition that I am believing this statistic.

thebigbiffo

4leto wrote: »

Although they are good at getting to the position and holding it, when there they tend not to be good at there job, or very productive They are to self centred which is not a good trait when you are in a company.

I agree with this - my current CEO is doing a s'hite job but because of his excellence in manipulation, his ability to charm, his constant drive to stay interested in projects and ego driven self publicity he has most people believing he's a huge success - well, apart from people working directly under him who know the score.

Psychopaths can be very hard found out - look at Jeff Dahmer...he managed to convince cops at his front door that the kid who just ran out of the house screaming was simply a jilted lover!

Mickey H

No, he's just a wanker pure and simple.

Scealta_saol

thebigbiffo wrote: »

I agree with this - my current CEO is doing a s'hite job but because of his excellence in manipulation, his ability to charm, his constant drive to stay interested in projects and ego driven self publicity he has most people believing he's a huge success - well, apart from people working directly under him who know the score.

MD is a lovely man. But there are similar people in the company that could be considered to be psychopaths. One in particular climbed the ladder from a lower position and is a lot like this. Drives me mad because I work directly under her

4leto

thebigbiffo wrote: »

I agree with this - my current CEO is doing a s'hite job but because of his excellence in manipulation, his ability to charm, his constant drive to stay interested in projects and ego driven self publicity he has most people believing he's a huge success - well, apart from people working directly under him who know the score.

Psychopaths can be very hard found out - look at Jeff Dahmer...he managed to convince cops at his front door that the kid who just ran out of the house screaming was simply a jilted lover!

Exactly more hot air then actual work and productivity. But they are good at stealing credit.

sunflower27

My former CEO is the biggest b*tch I have ever met/worked with in my life and I have worked in the UK and Australia as well as here.

An absolute bully that would walk past and open someone's drawer and eat whatever she found there as if it was her God-given right.

She'd also order people to get her lunch and then not pay them for it despite being on a rude salary!! Oh, and if you took your time it was a case of 'Did you tell the people in the deli it was FOR YOUR BOSS' :rolleyes:

She ruled the roost for years until several bullying complaints were made and she stepped down before she was pushed. Oh, that was a week of celebrations.

I don't think she ever thought anyone had the b*lls to confront her... In the end a good few did

texidub

I'm my own boss. Does that make me a psychopathic masochist?

<.<

>.>

*trembles*

Greentopia

I'm my own boss and I'm no psycho thankfully

4leto wrote: »

A whole 1% of the human race are psychopaths most never murder or even break the law.

But they do nave an edge in pursuing any of their goals. They can be intelligent, charming and very manipulative. They also lack empathy or scruples and are capable of doing unconscionable things. They are some of the business leaders, the entrepreneurs, the celebrities and even our politicians.

True. I know a guy in London who's a diagnosed sociopath.
He's in therapy for it. Never murdered anyone as far as I know (ok beat a few people up alright but only those who deserved it actually like two young guys who tried to rob him and a few motorists...) and he is indeed very intelligent and charming. I've found him kind, polite and a likeable person (lacks empathy though) but I don't know how much of that is genuine and how much is copying socially acceptable behaviour he sees in others. He's also a left-wing vegan public servant who cycles everywhere so I don't know what that says

He's fine (though I don't know him really well) unless you cross him and then watch out. His tales of what he's done to motorists who've cut him up, and knocked him off his bike are hair raising-that would be the unconscionable things part :pac:

Mickey H

texidub wrote: »

I'm my own boss. Does that make me a psychopathic masochist?

<.<

>.>

*trembles*

Nah, you're grand.

4leto

Greentopia wrote: »

I'm my own boss and I'm no psycho thankfully




True. I know a guy in London who's a diagnosed sociopath.
He's in therapy for it. Never murdered anyone as far as I know (ok beat a few people up alright but only those who deserved it actually like two young guys who tried to rob him and a few motorists...) and he is indeed very intelligent and charming. I've found him kind, polite and a likeable person (lacks empathy though) but I don't know how much of that is genuine and how much is copying socially acceptable behaviour he sees in others. He's also a left-wing vegan public servant who cycles everywhere so I don't know what that says

He's fine (though I don't know him really well) unless you cross him and then watch out. His tales of what he's done to motorists who've cut him up, and knocked him off his bike are hair raising-that would be the unconscionable things part :pac:

LOL
This reminds me of something I done last week. I am cycling to work the past month. I have noticed a lot of motorists (of which I am one) totally ignore the cycle lanes. But a motorist clipped me and just drove on, I don't think he noticed.

But I caught up with him at the lights going into capel street. I belted his roof in anger and said you hit me back there he just looked away bewildered and very scared.

So prognosis, I am not a psychopath but I do anger especially if I am nearly killed or very hurt.

mattjack

Greentopia wrote: »

I'm my own boss and I'm no psycho thankfully




True. I know a guy in London who's a diagnosed sociopath.
He's in therapy for it. Never murdered anyone as far as I know (ok beat a few people up alright but only those who deserved it actually like two young guys who tried to rob him and a few motorists...) and he is indeed very intelligent and charming. I've found him kind, polite and a likeable person (lacks empathy though) but I don't know how much of that is genuine and how much is copying socially acceptable behaviour he sees in others. He's also a left-wing vegan public servant who cycles everywhere so I don't know what that says

He's fine (though I don't know him really well) unless you cross him and then watch out. His tales of what he's done to motorists who've cut him up, and knocked him off his bike are hair raising-that would be the unconscionable things part :pac:

Actually worked a guy fairly similar to your friend recently..attends therapy,struggles everyday to overcome differant issues ,if he liked you ..you could do no wrong ..heaven help you if you crossed him.Very driven on issues he believes in.

Greentopia

4leto wrote: »

LOL
This reminds me of something I done last week. I am cycling to work the past month. I have noticed a lot of motorists (of which I am one) totally ignore the cycle lanes. But a motorist clipped me and just drove on, I don't think he noticed.

But I caught up with him at the lights going into capel street. I belted his roof in anger and said you hit me back there he just looked away bewildered and very scared.

So prognosis, I am not a psychopath but I do anger especially if I am nearly killed or very hurt.

I'm a cyclist too and have had my fair share of close calls with reckless drivers so I hear ya makes me very angry too though the most I've done is shout at them or bang their cars with my fist. (I am female though so I'm not going to take on a male driver more than that anyway)

Now what my friend would do in a similar situation to yours -this is something he told me he actually did once- was to catch up with the driver and when the driver looks at him startled and grabbed a can of pepper spray, punch him (hard) in the face, grab the pepper spray and hand together and spray the stunned driver in both eyes with his own weapon leaving him semi-conscious and blinded.
Then calmly cycle away.

And I do mean calmly because he doesn't get angry in a situation like that, he stays very cool and calm and very foccused and he just carries out whatever vengeance he thinks is necessary on his 'victim'.

I think the lesson here is: drivers treat all cyclists with respect on the roads because you never know if you'll run into someone like my friend on a bicycle. :pac:

mattjack wrote: »

Actually worked a guy fairly similar to your friend recently..attends therapy,struggles everyday to overcome differant issues ,if he liked you ..you could do no wrong ..heaven help you if you crossed him.Very driven on issues he believes in.

Yep, sounds like my guy. He gets very involved and driven on issues he's passionate about too.

4leto

Greentopia wrote: »

I'm a cyclist too and have had my fair share of close calls with reckless drivers so I hear ya makes me very angry too though the most I've done is shout at them or bang their cars with my fist. (I am female though so I'm not going to take on a male driver more than that anyway)

Now what my friend would do in a similar situation to yours -this is something he told me he actually did once- was to catch up with the driver and when the driver looks at him startled and grabbed a can of pepper spray, punch him (hard) in the face, grab the pepper spray and hand together and spray the stunned driver in both eyes with his own weapon leaving him semi-conscious and blinded.
Then calmly cycle away.

And I do mean calmly because he doesn't get angry in a situation like that, he stays very cool and calm and very foccused and he just carries out whatever vengeance he thinks is necessary on his 'victim'.

I think the lesson here is: drivers treat all cyclists with respect on the roads because you never know if you'll run into someone like my friend on a bicycle. :pac:



Yep, sounds like my guy. He gets very involved and driven on issues he's passionate about too.

:D:D:D:D
Your friend is my hero, :D but most the ones that cut you off or shoot by with with just millimetres to spare get away, you don't even have a horn to beep them. A bit off topic, credit to Dublin corpo for the ever improving cycling network, its just the culture of Irish drivers regard for cyclists that has to catch up. Plus we tend to be our own worse enemies when it comes to lights and paths:(.

And on the subject drivers and road ragers can be psychopathic, but I think we are all guilty of that sometimes.

4leto

4leto wrote: »

Here's a version of the test

There is a difference between psychopathy and sociopathy.