From the cutthroat boardrooms of television dramas like Succession to the ruthless trading floors of Wall Street, narratives often depict the most manipulative characters climbing to the top. Now, groundbreaking research confirms this is not merely a fictional trope but a real-world phenomenon with significant implications for workplace dynamics.
The Psychology Behind Hiring Decisions
Experts from the University of British Columbia have conducted a comprehensive study revealing that bosses actively prefer employees with dark personality traits when they perceive such hires as beneficial for their own career progression. Dr. Karl Aquino, co-author of the study, explains the nuanced decision-making process: "If you have agentic or self-serving goals, hiring a dark personality candidate could actually be useful. Conversely, if you have more communal goals focused on teamwork and ethics, then you avoid hiring that person."
Experimental Evidence from Manager Surveys
The research team surveyed over 1,200 managers across multiple experiments to uncover why manipulative individuals persist in organizations despite their potential negative impact. In one key experiment, managers reviewed fictional job candidates with identical qualifications but differing approaches to workplace situations. Results showed that candidates displaying manipulative or self-interested tactics received higher ratings from managers who prioritized personal career advancement.
Another experiment asked managers to reflect on their favorite and least favorite real-world employees. Managers focused on personal gain were significantly more likely to attribute dark traits to their preferred employees, suggesting a conscious or subconscious alignment with manipulative behaviors.
Short-Term Gains Versus Long-Term Costs
While favoring manipulative employees might offer immediate advantages, the study warns of substantial long-term consequences for organizations. Dr. Aquino highlights the risks: "Although there are advantages to having these kinds of people in the organization, it could prove costly in the long run as they may engage in actions that jeopardize the organization. Companies may ultimately regret these hires, as such individuals could betray them."
The Role of Dark Personalities in Unpleasant Tasks
The research indicates that employees with dark traits are often seen as valuable for handling undesirable duties that others avoid. Dr. Aquino elaborates: "Throughout history and in organizations, there are tasks that require doing dirty or difficult work that many shy away from. Dark personalities may be better equipped to perform these roles than those lacking such traits. Leaders recognize a place for individuals who seem to violate conventional norms of goodness."
This includes responsibilities like disciplining staff or conducting layoffs, which could harm a manager's reputation if handled personally.
Broader Context: Psychopathic Traits in Careers
This study follows recent research from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which identified careers that attract individuals with psychopathic tendencies. That research involved over 600 participants and found a clear pattern: people with psychopathic traits are drawn to hands-on, practical work such as mechanics and engineering. Lead author Yan Yi Lance Du noted: "The need for power and status can be a fundamental drive behind the careers people pursue."
Recognizing Dark Personality Traits
Dark personality traits, including those associated with psychopathy, often manifest in workplace settings through behaviors like superficial charm, grandiosity, manipulation, and a lack of empathy. While not all individuals with these traits become harmful, they can significantly influence organizational culture and decision-making processes.
The findings underscore a critical tension in modern workplaces: the balance between short-term strategic advantages and long-term ethical sustainability. As organizations navigate complex environments, understanding the psychological drivers behind hiring decisions becomes essential for fostering healthier, more productive work cultures.
