Psychopaths in Australian airspace reform
Psychopaths aren't always so easy to spot as a Norman Bates or Hannibal Lecter. They come in all shapes and sizes, say psychologists, and there are far more out there than we think.
That's because they share the same characteristic traits as sadistic killers. Those traits help them to succeed in the short term and can often land them in management roles. Research suggests so-called "corporate psychopaths" vastly outnumber those who commit crimes and end up in prison, New Scientist reports. They are all around us, thriving at the expense of others and making life miserable for those who deal with them daily. Scientists warn that co-workers should be much more aware of their existence to avoid being their next corporate "victim".
Individuals tend to be manipulative, arrogant, callous, impatient, impulsive, unreliable, superficially charming and prone to fly into rages. They also break promises, take credit for the work of others and blame everyone else when things go wrong. The key characteristic of all psychopaths is having no conscience and lacking all signs of empathy with their fellow man.
Most psychopaths are not in prison and have probably never been in trouble with the law. They tend to thrive especially in the high powered professions such as politics, the media, law and business where they can dominate others as part of "getting the job done".
Professor Robert Hare, of the University of British Columbia and one of the world's leading experts on psychopaths, has devised the "Business Scan 360", a test designed to single out psychopaths before they can damage their organisation or the people around them.
Professor Hare is assessing 100 "economic criminals" in the US who have been convicted of fraud and embezzlement in order to determine exactly how corporate psychopaths operate.
"Wherever you get power, prestige and money you will find them," he said.
The same characteristics that can power them into management roles can often lead them down the road of embezzlement, fraud and similar illegal activities. Some have been extremely high-profile figures who have conquered their area of business amid controversy.
HOW TO SPOT ONE
- Does he break promises?
- Does he take credit for the work of others?
- Is he erratic and unreliable?
- Would he disregard a code of ethics?
- Does he manipulate others to his advantage?
- Is he a bully?
- Would he tell you to "pull yourself together" if a family member died?
- Does he set unreasonable deadlines?
- Is he remorseless when set on a goal?
- Does he fly into a rage over a small problem?
- Does he fake sincerity with great conviction?
- Does he think the world revolves around him?
- Is he two-faced?
- Is he lacking in any kind of personal depth?
- Does he blame others when things go wrong?
- Is he unfocused and a poor organiser?
In fact is there one in Australian airspace reform right now?