In Depth › Science Features

Corporate psychopaths

What to do if you find yourself working with one...

Do you work with someone who has a glib and superficial charm, but who is also a manipulative and pathological liar with a complete lack of remorse or guilt?

In this timeless 2005 story from ABC TV's Catalyst program, reporter Jonica Newby examines the phenomenon of the corporate psychopath — a character-type which seems to be prospering in these days of short-term goals and high-staff turnover.

Corporate psychopaths lack empathy, but can succeed in job interviews because they come across as very confident, full of self esteem and with no doubts and no hesitations.

It's not until much later, often after they've climbed their way into positions of power, that the telltale symptoms of broken promises, occasional fraud and an inability to retain good staff expose their destructive impact.

Sadly, the evidence suggests that corporate psychopaths are impossible to rehabilitate, so what should you do should you find yourself working with one?

This video is also available on YouTube, via ABCScienceOnline

^ to top