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240 SNAKES IN SUITS
INTERNAL VERSUS EXTERNAL CANDIDATES
Choosing between an internal promotional candidate and an external
hire is sometimes like comparing apples to oranges. Internal candidates
for promotions, of course, are better known to the company
than outsiders, but this often works against them, because the external
candidate usually seems much better qualified than the internal
one. Because more is known about the internal person’s personal
weaknesses and idiosyncrasies, it is more likely that decision makers
will have formed negative opinions that work against his or her candidacy.
Conversely, organizations usually discover much less about
the external candidates, making them appear more qualified. This
kind of uneven comparison makes it much easier for a psychopathic
candidate to join an organization, beating out an internal candidate
who is otherwise qualified. Would you choose the “devil you know or
the devil you don’t know”?
The matter is made more complicated if you already have a corporate
psychopath on staff (without your knowledge) who has established
an influence network and already has a patron on his or her
side. In this case the (possibly) better-qualified external candidate is
at a disadvantage. Recall that the psychopath spends considerable
time and energy building relationships with key decision makers in
the organization, in case he or she needs their support later on. The
psychopathic fiction, “I am the ideal employee,” created in the minds
of his or her supporters can be easily transformed into a very believable
“I am the ideal leader.” In this case, the internal psychopath will
look much better than any but the most outstanding external candidate.
Furthermore, the psychopath also has a clear advantage should
the company compare him or her with internal candidates. Recall
that corporate psychopaths spread considerable disinformation about
their rivals (unbeknownst to the company or the rival), which leads
to doubts and concerns, thus effectively knocking other candidates
out of contention.