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Enemy at the Gates
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normal flow of business as well as on the day-to-day social intercourse
of other employees. They disrupt meetings, come up with irrational
ideas, embarrass others and the company, and surprise even
the most seasoned. Few executives like surprises, and they pride
themselves on being aware of the goings on of their business. Because
you never know when it will go off, a loose cannon can be the
executives’ worst nightmare.
Unless one truly understands the machinations of corporate psychopaths,
it is almost impossible to predict what they will do. Rarely
are others privy to the inner workings of their mind, making them
dangerous employees to have on staff.
Astute psychopaths control their behavior while in the presence
of those in higher authority, especially if they have identified them as
potential pawns or patrons. In most cases, the best sources of information
about their erratic behavior are coworkers or supervisors close
to them.
inability to react calmly
The ability to remain calm during a crisis is the hallmark of good
leadership. Psychopaths are quite adept at maintaining their cool
when in situations being observed by those in power, especially if this
trait is valued by the organization. Yet when out of view, they can
overreact in socially inappropriate ways. Many who observe this phenomenon
will report them as being dramatic. Occasional outbursts by
supervisors, such as when responding to a dangerous safety violation,
are acceptable and even expected. But psychopaths tend to overreact
in response to perceived personal insults or insufficient demonstration
of respect for their authority. This harms the work group, and ultimately
the company, because it puts everyone on notice that the psychopath
must be treated with kid gloves. Psychopaths become
unapproachable, which defeats the purpose of good supervision, open
and honest corporate cultures, and free flow of information. Groups
subjected to dramatic bosses often lose their cohesion and team spirit,
falling back on an “every man for himself” mentality.