Working with psychopaths

Psychopathy and Commerce

Stephen Drain — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 20:43:52 +0000

Anyone you know? Psychopaths prefer commerce degrees.

Beware narcissists in workplace

Stephen Drain — Fri, 27 May 2011 05:57:53 +0000

Psychopathic looters?

Stephen Drain — Mon, 23 May 2011 01:53:17 +0000

Looters have no conscience or empathy says Lou Gardiner the head of Crimestoppers (wasn’t he head of the Army once?). Anyway when you hear those words, especially used in the same sentence, you know you’re dealing with a psychopath description and no amount of appealing to their sense of decency will make one iota of difference. I also mention psychopaths in my blog out in the morning – Get what’s coming to you (link will work from 7am on 24 May).

Stephen

Is your boss a psychopath?

Stephen Drain — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 08:50:08 +0000

It’s been a while since I blogged here, but came across this. Good to be refreshed now and again – remember it might not just be your boss, could be a co-worker or someone of influence in another part of your organisation.

Stephen

How to spot a liar

Stephen Drain — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 07:51:22 +0000

Here’s a link to a TV3 interview in the wake of Defence Scientist Stephen Wilce’s exposure as a conman.

http://www.3news.co.nz/How-to-spot-a-liar/tabid/371/articleID/176237/Default.aspx

The work bully

Stephen Drain — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:34:16 +0000

Bullying is still a major issue in the workplace.

An evil genius?

Stephen Drain — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 11:08:58 +0000

This headline caught my eye today – is this a label for a corporate psychopath or what? You know that it’s likely he will feel proud of the label!

A movie about a narcissist

Stephen Drain — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:05:53 +0000

I nearly put this movie review of Coco & Igor on this site, but didn’t, so here’s a link. Thanks for looking.

Stephen

A bad smell from something that looks so clean

Stephen Drain — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:57:13 +0000

A client is dealing with the effects of a toxic leader who the organisation was stuck with for several years. How was it, we have asked, that this person was able to survive and sustain their position for so long while all around them was emotional carnage and a rotten culture.

The answer is becoming clear, but has a new twist. In addition to the usual plotting, false information and seemingly attractive appearance to bosses, this psychopath engaged extensively with the firm’s external stakeholders – which was part of his legitimate job – but targetted those that were known by his superiors. Our psycho managed to get control of the company’s marketing and promotional material processes and include his own false credentials in them. This of course added to his credibility, and to the likelihoold of the clients etc reporting positively back to his bosses.

He came unstuck only when a former employee happened upon this fabricated material and was able to tell a friend on the board that the creditionals of Mr Psycho were false.

It won’t surprise you to know that even after being confronted he hasn’t admitted his falsities but fortunately for the company, he’s gone.

The lesson as we hear frequently: containment is extremely difficult and if you’re having frequent reports of bullying and people leaving without proper cause, take a close hard look at the guy in the smart suit. He could be toxic and creating a very bad smell for you.

A pink shirt to stand up to bullies

Stephen Drain — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:43:19 +0000

Today is Pink Shirt Day, a day to stand up to school bullies who can wreck our children’s lives. We know that there are bullies at work too – people that bully their team, their boss and their peers. Corporate Psychopaths are extreme bullies and as we’ve discussed in the past – there is no cure but culling.

So I say don’t let bullies get a look in – put some sunlight on them for your sake, for your colleagues sake and for your children’s sake. I’ve spoken on my Leadership Blog about my son being bullied so proudly wore my pink shirt today. It was too bright for those that lurk in the darkness of malicious lies to come near.

I think I might wear it more!