Is Your Boss A Psycho?

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Abstract

a dominance-based social hierarchy. That’s the broader implication of that term. Patriarchy is not just a power differential between men and women; it’s also a larger system of social stratification wherein those with the most power have coercive influence over those below them in the hierarchy. Prior to the onset of patriarchy, about 10K years ago, humans lived in largely classless and egalitarian societies. (2) This dominance-based social hierarchy teaches us not only that <i>might makes right</i> but that those who are the most ruthless should be elevated to higher rungs on the pyramid. (3)</p><blockquote id="cf28"><p>These people often possess a grand view of their talents and potential, and this kind of confidence might help propel them into leadership positions. Additionally, <a href="http://www.russellreynolds.com/content/making-it-top-nine-attributes-differentiate-ceos"><b>willingness to take calculated risks is a very common trait of CEOs when compared with non-CEO executives</b></a> — and confidence helps psychopaths hit that mark. (4)</p></blockquote><p id="3231">Psychopathic executives may have a cunning ability to manipulate people and to pit them against each other to their own ends. They often manage through intimidation and shaming. “<i>I’m expected to prove every day that I am fit to work here,</i>” said one senior executive who works for just such a CEO. “<i>The unspoken subtext of every conversation with my boss is that I’m incompetent. It’s a tough environment to do my best work in.</i>” Because of this culture of fear, psychopathic executives lose touch with the actual pulse of the company. No-one feels safe being honest or vulnerable around them.</p><p id="52ac">We really shouldn’t be all that surprised that there are so many psychopathic CEOs. After all, old-style capitalism rewards psychopathic traits like ruthless and driven attitudes that supersede kindness, remorse, and empathy. But newer, less hierarchical management styles are starting to emerge in environments that can really benefit from the agility that allows. Greater decision-making at all levels means a quicker response time in an increasingly competitive landscape.</p><blockquote id="f84b"><p>Many newer companies and start-ups aren’t burdened by the old ways of thinking and operating like organizations founded fifty years ago. That said, many companies that have been around a long time have seen the light and are leading major transformations that improve culture, performance and leadership structure. The big ego bosses and dictators with an underserved sense of self-worth are finding it harder to exist

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in these new environments. (5)</p></blockquote><p id="11dd">As less hierarchical management gains traction, perhaps the chance of working for a psychopathic CEO will decrease, but in the meantime, if you are employed at an organization where this type of behavior is not only tolerated but rewarded, just know that you are not alone. Statistically, there is a good chance that your boss really is a psycho.</p><p id="040d">(1) <a href="https://thehustle.co/your-ceo-is-probably-a-psychopath">Your CEO Is Probably A Psychopath</a></p><p id="530a">(2) <a href="https://readmedium.com/some-men-find-our-egalitarian-history-highly-disturbing-9b9db5ac4aa">Some Men Find Our Egalitarian History Highly Disturbing</a></p><p id="8d31">(3) <a href="https://readmedium.com/victim-blaming-and-the-dominance-hierarchy-4c246da4723c">Victim Blaming, The Dominance Hierarchy, And Trump</a></p><p id="f47a">(4) <a href="https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2015/04/why-a-disproportionate-number-of-ceos-are-psychopaths">Why A Disproportionate Number Of CEOs Are Psychopaths</a></p><p id="f1c9">(5) <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brentgleeson/2017/03/27/the-future-of-leadership-and-management-in-the-21st-century-organization/#6843b1d0218f">The Future Of Leadership And Management In The 21st-Century Organization</a></p><div id="ded3" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/incompetent-rich-people-often-get-ahead-ffa51b44bf69"> <div> <div> <h2>Incompetent Rich People Often Get Ahead</h2> <div><h3>New studies show that having the right background is more of an advantage than actually being smart and capable</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*fsAs9VpLxJ3n5dOf)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><div id="e826" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/a-society-based-in-partnership-instead-of-domination-ae9acce4d191"> <div> <div> <h2>A Society Based In Partnership Instead of Domination</h2> <div><h3>What would the opposite of a dominance hierarchy look like?</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*uZNzOyIVM5knr8jgoHtjcw.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div></article></body>

A disproportionate amount of CEOs exhibit psychopathic tendencies

Have you ever worked in a place where the senior management seemed more than a little bit anti-social? If so, you are not alone. Top-level executives, and CEOs, in particular, have been shown to have a much higher level of psychopathic traits than the general population. Some of these traits may initially come across as firm leadership skills, such as decisiveness and moxy, although they also wreak havoc with morale and therefore affect the stability of the organization.

One national company had in less than 4 years 10 senior executives (among the 7 most senior positions) who either left or were asked to leave because of the terrible working environment. That turnover rate is not in the company’s best interest but was none-the-less being taken in stride by the Board.

A person with a psychopathic personality, which manifests as amoral and antisocial behavior, lack of ability to love or establish meaningful personal relationships and extreme egocentricity.

In other words, s/he has some of these traits:

Is superficially charming

Has a gigantic ego or sense of their own importance

Gets bored very easily

Lacks remorse, guilt, or empathy

Enjoys manipulating people (1)

Although many top executives are highly intelligent, charismatic, and extremely self-confident, if that’s a veneer for psychopathic tendencies, those traits aren’t truly an asset. Someone who looks like a good leader at first blush because of their decisiveness and the ability to make tough decisions without emotion may well be someone who also lacks empathy and uses manipulation and intimidation to achieve their goals. But in a wider culture that has bought into a might makes right philosophy, we tend to not only expect such a trade-off but to see it as inevitable.

The patriarchal culture that we live in is founded on a dominance-based social hierarchy. That’s the broader implication of that term. Patriarchy is not just a power differential between men and women; it’s also a larger system of social stratification wherein those with the most power have coercive influence over those below them in the hierarchy. Prior to the onset of patriarchy, about 10K years ago, humans lived in largely classless and egalitarian societies. (2) This dominance-based social hierarchy teaches us not only that might makes right but that those who are the most ruthless should be elevated to higher rungs on the pyramid. (3)

These people often possess a grand view of their talents and potential, and this kind of confidence might help propel them into leadership positions. Additionally, willingness to take calculated risks is a very common trait of CEOs when compared with non-CEO executives — and confidence helps psychopaths hit that mark. (4)

Psychopathic executives may have a cunning ability to manipulate people and to pit them against each other to their own ends. They often manage through intimidation and shaming. “I’m expected to prove every day that I am fit to work here,” said one senior executive who works for just such a CEO. “The unspoken subtext of every conversation with my boss is that I’m incompetent. It’s a tough environment to do my best work in.” Because of this culture of fear, psychopathic executives lose touch with the actual pulse of the company. No-one feels safe being honest or vulnerable around them.

We really shouldn’t be all that surprised that there are so many psychopathic CEOs. After all, old-style capitalism rewards psychopathic traits like ruthless and driven attitudes that supersede kindness, remorse, and empathy. But newer, less hierarchical management styles are starting to emerge in environments that can really benefit from the agility that allows. Greater decision-making at all levels means a quicker response time in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Many newer companies and start-ups aren’t burdened by the old ways of thinking and operating like organizations founded fifty years ago. That said, many companies that have been around a long time have seen the light and are leading major transformations that improve culture, performance and leadership structure. The big ego bosses and dictators with an underserved sense of self-worth are finding it harder to exist in these new environments. (5)

As less hierarchical management gains traction, perhaps the chance of working for a psychopathic CEO will decrease, but in the meantime, if you are employed at an organization where this type of behavior is not only tolerated but rewarded, just know that you are not alone. Statistically, there is a good chance that your boss really is a psycho.