About book Snakes In Suits: When Psychopaths Go To Work (2006)
They are not lying under every rock nor do they occupy every office, but unfortunately, more and more "snakes" are filling leadership positions in Corporate America. Depending of which study you read, between 4 and 30% of our managers and executives are social predators without conscience. Their thrill seeking behavior and political gamesmanship amasses them personal power without any regard to the consequences to either their companies or their co-workers. We've seen some obvious results of their presence in the economic disasters beginning with the Savings and Loan Crises of the 1980s and continuing today with this longest Recession in US history. What is much more extensive and not so obvious is the personal toll working with a psychopath has on the individual and the impact on employee productivity, as well as long term business viability. The authors provide a good mix of short vignettes, research and a running end-to-end story about the 11 month journey of one psychopath from his hiring to his promotion into the job of the boss he ousted. Although it is practically impossible to protect yourself from a smooth talking, charming psychopath once targeted, the authors explain why and how our current fast paced and constantly changing business environment is the ideal setting for these modern day con-men. Not only does our modern concept of business with its constant re-invention provide jungle like cover for these predators, the less clearly defined skills of leadership, such as strategic thinking, self-confidence, bias towards action and good communication, tailor fit these chameleon-like masters of manipulation. The thing to remember about psychopaths, aka sociopaths, is that they are totally rational and sane, yet without compassion or remorse. Neuroscience has proven with fMRI scans that psychopaths simply do not react in a normal manner to stimuli. Consequently, although you may have bosses or co-workers in your environment who sometimes behave in selfish egotistical manner who are redeemable, when you are dealing with a true psychopath, there is no possibility of rehabilitation. Their nature is as immutable as that of poisonous snake. Read the cautionary tale, Snakes and Suits, for some tips on how to recognize the corporate psychopath.
Excellent book. I ordered this for my Kindle at the recommendation of a friend who is a psychologist while battling to deal with a boss who was rude, abusive, manipulative and a non-performer. She disguised it all by terrorizing staff, and then could be charming and articulate when needed.I have always worked well with colleagues and been in environments (but for the SABC in Johannesburg, which has been toxic for years) where people respect, if not enjoy, each other and perform well.This woman, an outspoken Christian, gave new meaning to the 6 letters that spell terror.Before reading this book I was confused by her hostility. I have always performed well and have platinum recommendations. I maintain long friendships with former colleagues, clients and bosses. And so I was contemplating chatting with her and trying to find a mechanism to move forward, this book made it clear that was not the right approach.Psychopaths in the workplace will lie, steal, cajole and charm to get what they want - they do not tolerate anyone who they realize is onto their lies and manipulation, nor anyone who is competent and a threat to their position. They do not realize that having strong clever people around you boosts you, the boss - they see it as a threat. They are the bosses who surround themselves with sycophantic incompetents because it makes them look good, besides which, you're replaceable.They take pleasure in destroying others.If you are dealing with a boss or colleague where you feel confused, dispirited and unable to quite put your finger on what is wrong. Read this book. Your colleague may not be a psychopath, but regrettably a significant number are. Either way, it carries good examples, is well-written and leaves you with important thoughts to reflect on. I ploughed through it in a weekend.
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"I always said if i wasn't studying psychopaths in prison, i'd do so at the stock exchange." Robert Hare, quoted in Fast CompanyToday's fast paced business environment is the perfect place to harbor psychopaths. 3.5% of senior executives fall into the category of psychopath. Their characteristics are very difficult to diagnose because they are or can be very charming and devious. Their characteristics are: superficial, grandiose,deceitful, lack remorse, lack empathy, do not accept responsibility, are impulsive, lack goals, and are irresponsible. They break all the rules, blame others for their failures and find a patron within the organziation to mentor and protect them on their rise.
—Ruth Charchian
The book is interesting but I was annyed because it is also very repetitive - it seems like the authors don't so much to say some of the time. At other times it is possibly to technical - quoting from the psychological refrence on difnostics of various disorders. I was amused to learn that psycopaths are able to manipulate researchers who are studing them - this is something I have noticed. Also that it is quite difficult to identify these individuals even if you have a 30 point check list in fron of you - despite the evaluation procedures being very distinct. I.E. scores above 26.I enjoyed the narratives used to simulate the issues being described.
—Oren Bochman
I read this as a follow up to Jon Ronson’s marvelous Psychopath Test, which was named for the diagnostic criteria Dr. Hare developed. I ended up skimming quite a bit of it because it was what it was billed to be – a book about dealing with psychopaths in the workplace, largely from a corporate management perspective. It’s good, but spent way too much time cautioning the reader to not do exactly what it was telling us how to do – realize that there are psychopaths among us and reducing the harm they can cause. Gave me a name for something I’ve seen in both my personal and professional life – “the psychopathic bond.” The bond the psychopath will cultivate in another that allows them to feed. Raising the question – are psychopath vampires? Also told me something I should have known, but didn’t. I shall quote. “It is important to note that psychopathy is a personality disorder, and that personality disorders are not the same as mental illness. At a basic level, a personal with a personality disorder has a limited range of stereotyped ‘solutions’ that he or she applies to most of the problems accounted in life. Those without a personality disorder are able to apply a variety of behaviors, depending on what best suits the situations.” (40) Made me a little depressed with regard to domestic violence treatment and anger management therapy. Says that psychopaths will embrace such treatment to get out of jail, but there is no evidence it changes their behavior in any way, though they do apparently get high marks. The psychopath is apparently very good at faking it to get a passing grade, but internalizes none of it. Had a tragic ending, illustrating, I think, the unspoken subtext of the book – if there’s a psychopath in your life, get away as soon as possible. A subtext that is in dramatic tension with the overt “you’re not qualified to judge if someone’s a psychopath.” Ah, modern life. Ronson’s book was better.
—Laura
