Imagine a world where the boardroom is a battleground, and the players wear suits instead of armour.

In "Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work," authors Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare offer a chilling glimpse into this reality—one where psychopathy infiltrates the corporate landscape and leaves a trail of manipulation and destruction in its wake.

But precisely what is a psychopath?

A psychopath is an individual who exhibits a distinct set of personality traits and behavioural characteristics, including a lack of empathy, shallow emotions, manipulativeness, impulsivity, and a tendency towards antisocial behaviour.

Psychopathy is considered a personality disorder characterised by a combination of these traits, which manifest in various aspects of the individual's life, including interpersonal relationships, work, and social interactions.

Contrary to popular belief, psychopathy is not solely confined to the criminal underworld.

While some psychopaths may engage in criminal behaviour, many others operate within legal boundaries, holding positions of power and authority in society.

Psychopathy is currently understood to be a personality trait that exists on a continuum with varying degrees of severity.

At one end of the spectrum, individuals may exhibit only a few psychopathic traits and be able to function relatively well in society. These individuals may have successful careers and maintain relationships, albeit with some challenges.

At the other end of the spectrum are individuals who exhibit a full-blown psychopathic personality disorder, characterised by a pervasive pattern of antisocial behaviour, manipulation, and disregard for the rights and feelings of others.

The idea of psychopathy as a spectrum highlights the complexity of the condition and its manifestations.

Not all psychopaths are violent criminals, and not all exhibit the same degree of dysfunction. Many psychopaths can blend into society, using their charm and manipulative skills to navigate social situations and achieve their goals.

About 1.2% of U.S. adult men and 0.3% to 0.7% of U.S. adult women are considered to have clinically significant levels of psychopathic traits. These numbers rise exponentially in prison, where 15% to 25% of inmates show these characteristics.

What made me personally stop and reflect, though, is the claim by Robert Hare that the prevalence of psychopaths is higher in the business world than in the general population.

Figures of around 3 to 4% have been cited for more senior positions in business. A 2011 study of Australian white-collar managers found that 5.76 per cent could be classified as psychopathic and another 10.42 per cent as dysfunctional with psychopathic characteristics.

This is alarming and the chances are you have come across a psychopath somewhere in your career and perhaps never realised it.

Criminal psychologist Robert D. Hare describes workplace psychopaths as often charming to staff above their level in the workplace hierarchy but abusive to staff below their level.

He says they maintain multiple personas throughout the office, presenting each colleague with a different version of themselves.

While psychopaths typically represent a tiny percentage of workplace staff, the presence of psychopathy in the workplace, especially within senior management, can do enormous damage.

Given that workplace psychopaths are usually most present at higher levels of corporate structure, their actions often cause a ripple effect throughout an organisation, setting the tone for an entire corporate culture.

Such detrimental effects include increased bullying, conflict, stress, staff turnover, absenteeism, and reduced productivity and social responsibility.

Ethical standards of entire organisations can be badly damaged if a corporate psychopath is in charge.

At its core, "Snakes in Suits" is a psychological exploration of how psychopathic traits manifest in the workplace. It delves into the characteristics of these individuals—charm, manipulation, and ruthlessness—and how they use them to climb the corporate ladder.

Through compelling anecdotes and empirical research, the authors paint a vivid picture of the psychopath's world, where empathy is replaced by exploitation and conscience takes a back seat to ambition.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is its portrayal of the corporate environment as fertile ground for psychopathic behaviour to flourish.

In a world driven by competition and profit, traits like charisma and ruthlessness are often rewarded, creating an environment where psychopaths can thrive.

Babiak and Hare illustrate how these individuals are drawn to positions of power where they can exert control and influence over others with impunity.

But perhaps the most chilling aspect of "Snakes in Suits" is its examination of the damage psychopaths can inflict on organisations and the people within them.

Babiak and Hare provide several examples of behaviours and tactics exhibited by white-collar psychopaths. Here are a few:

1. Charm and Charisma

Psychopaths are often described as charming and charismatic individuals who can effortlessly win over others with their magnetic personalities. They use charm to manipulate and deceive, creating a favourable impression while hiding their true intentions.

2. Manipulation and Exploitation

White-collar psychopaths are skilled manipulators who exploit the trust and goodwill of others for their gain. They may use flattery, lies, and manipulation to manipulate colleagues, subordinates, and superiors to further their agendas.

3. Lack of Empathy

One of the hallmark traits of psychopathy is a profound lack of empathy for others. White-collar psychopaths are indifferent to the feelings and well-being of those around them, allowing them to pursue their goals without concern for the consequences to others.

4. Grandiosity and Arrogance

Psychopaths often have an inflated sense of self-importance and entitlement. They may exaggerate their achievements, demand special treatment, and belittle others to assert dominance and superiority.

5. Shallow Emotions

While psychopaths can mimic emotions when it suits their purposes, their feelings are typically shallow and short-lived. They may exhibit a lack of remorse or guilt for their actions, even when they cause harm to others.

6. Impulsivity and Risk-Taking

White-collar psychopaths are known for their impulsivity and willingness to take risks. They may engage in unethical or illegal behaviour without considering the potential consequences, driven by a desire for excitement and gratification.

7. Manipulative Communication

Psychopaths are adept at manipulating language and communication to their advantage. They may use persuasive techniques, half-truths, and deceitful tactics to influence others and advance their interests.

Yet, amidst the darkness, "Snakes in Suits" also offers hope and practical insights for dealing with psychopathic individuals in the workplace.

By identifying the red flags and understanding the psychology behind their behaviour, organisations can take steps to protect themselves and their employees from manipulation and harm.

Such steps should include implementing robust hiring practices and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.

One of the book's most compelling arguments that we should all take note of is that psychopathy is not a rare anomaly confined to the criminal underworld but rather a personality trait that exists on a spectrum.

While not all psychopaths are violent criminals, many exhibit traits that make them well-suited for success in the corporate world.

By illuminating this hidden dimension of human behaviour, "Snakes in Suits" challenges us to rethink our assumptions about leadership and ethics in the workplace.

Until next time, may you never encounter a boardroom psycho.

Dion Le Roux

References

1. Baibak, P; Hare, RD (2007), Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work.

2. Babiak, P., Neumann, C. S., & Hare, R. D. (2010). Corporate psychopathy: Talking the walk. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 28(2), 174-193.

3. Boddy, C. R. (2011). The corporate psychopaths theory of the global financial crisis. Journal of Business Ethics, 102(2), 255-259.

4. Burton, B., & Saleh, F. M., Psychiatric Times, Vol. 37, No. 10, 2020.

5. Hare, RD (1994), "Predators: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths among Us", Psychology Today, 27 (1): 54–61.