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Abstract
This article utilizes seven cases to describe the behavior of the sociopathic personality in a leadership role. The arenas in which this article focuses include the industrial world, the academic world, and the non-profit organization world. In-depth analysis of several of the cases presented should provide the reader with a better awareness of the sociopathic mind and its propensity for destruction of others, as well as the major focus of this behavior disorder - the need to win, and to win at all costs. Suggestions for dealing with such individuals is presented to further assist the reader in becoming more aware of their methods, behavior, and self-centered focus, as well as how to deal with them.
Introduction
Most people have interacted with sociopaths and rarely recognized them as such. They act smooth, very smooth, especially when in the public eye. According to Martha Stout (2005) "The condition of missing conscience is called ...sociopathy" (p.6) and those who demonstrate this behavior are termed sociopaths. They are chameleons of the first order, and often can pull the wool over the eyes of most people, no matter their experience or education level. Even psychologists and psychiatrists may succumb to their charms. They can be quite disarming, for sure. They are not easy to spot and, unfortunately, are singled out for what they really are, usually only after their damage and hurt have been done and they are merrily on their way - remorseless to repeat their venomous behavior on other unsuspecting individuals, who often are admirers.
In The Sociopath Next Door (Stout, 2005) and (Morse 2004; Babiak & Hare, 2006), it was stated about four percent of the United States population is sociopathic. Others have offered similar percentages. How accurate are these statistics? Cangemi and Pfohl , with over 70 years combined professional experience with scores of organizations in different cultures, and with exposure to thousands of leaders, staff personnel other associates and individuals- many on a confidential, one-on-one basisti believe this percentage may be higher.
These authors have observed first hand the workings of such individuals - especially their techniques, their callousness, their focused behavior, their desire to destroy a competitor, their delight in inflicting damage and pain on another, and their remorseless willingness to...