Is Your Boss a Psychopath?
Odds are you've run across one of these characters in your career. They're glib, charming, manipulative, deceitful, ruthless -- and very, very destructive. And there may be lots of them in America's corner offices.
Quiz: Is Your Boss a Psychopath?Robert Hare's PCL-R test for psychopathy evaluates a subset of eight traits which defines the "corporate psychopath" -- the nonviolent person prone to the "selfish and remorseless use of others." Does your boss fit the profile? Here's our quiz drawing on the test and Hare's book Without Conscience. (Disclaimer: If you're not a psychologist this will be an amateur exercise.) We've used the pronoun "he," but research suggests psychologists have underestimated the psychopathic propensity of women.
Bosses From HellA rogue's gallery of the manipulative, abusive, grandiose -- and downright crooked -- executives who have strutted their way across the stage of American business.
[1] Suspect flattery. Sincere compliments from a coworker or a boss are nice, but outrageous flattery is often an attempt to draw you into a psychopath's snare. If you feel your ego is being massaged, you may be dealing with a psychopath. Be careful.
[2] Take labels and titles with a grain of salt. Just because someone is older, has a higher position or more degrees, or is wealthier than you are does not mean his or her moral judgment is better than yours.
[3] Always question authority when it conflicts with your own sense of right and wrong. This may be hard to do, but it is crucial to your own career and well-being.
[4] Never agree to help a psychopath conceal his or her suspicious activities at work.
[5] If you are afraid of your boss, never confuse this feeling with respect.
[6] Realistically assess the damage to your life. If it's too great, you may have to leave. Remember that living well is the best revenge.
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