Psychopathic Cat Burglary (or How to Get Ahead at Work)
What’s the Latest?
If only psychopaths used their intensity and manipulation for good rather than evil. Failing that, perhaps the good among us should get a little tougher, defend ourselves more, and fear negative consequences less. That is the message of Oxford University experimental psychologist Kevin Dutton. “In his new book, The Wisdom of Psychopaths, he says that adopting certain psychopathic characteristics can help us improve our own performance in the workplace. Psychopaths tend not to procrastinate or take things personally, ‘and they don’t beat themselves up when things go wrong’, he says.”
What’s the Big Idea?
If the image of an insane serial killer comes to mind at the word ‘psychopath’, your knowledge may not square well with current medical science. “[Psychopaths] are not going to kill anybody – but indirectly they can damage people because they are so focused on their own success and totally oblivious to the needs of others. It is basically an abrasive, bullying management style.” But be careful about hiring someone for their intense, impersonal management style. While the manager will rise through the ranks quickly, team cohesion tends to be left in the dust.
