Organizational Dysfunction

A new model of Machiavellianism based in organizational settings consists of three
factors:
maintaining power
harsh management tactics
manipulative behaviors.
The presence of Machiavellianism in an organization has been positively correlated
with counterproductive workplace behavior and workplace deviance.
Job Interviews
Individuals who are high in Machiavellianism may be more willing and more skilled at
lying and less likely to give honest answers during interviews. Individuals high in
Machiavellianism have stronger intentions to use deception in interviews compared to
psychopaths or narcissists and are also more likely to see the use of lying in interviews
as fair. Men and women high in Machiavellianism may use different tactics
to influence interviewers. In one study, which examined the how much applicants
allowed the interviewers to direct the topics covered during the interview, women high in
Machiavellianism tended to allow interviewers more freedom to direct the content of the
interview. Men high in Machiavellianism gave interviewers the least amount of freedom
in directing the content of the interview. Men high in Machiavellianism were also more
likely to make up information about themselves or their experiences during job
interviews.
Workplace Bullying Overlap
According to Namie, Machiavellians manipulate and exploit others to advance their
perceived personal agendas and to maintain dominance over others.
The following are the guiding principles of Machiavellianism:
Never show humility
Arrogance is far more effective when dealing with others.
Morality and ethics are for the weak: Powerful people feel free to lie, cheat and
deceive others when it suits them.
It is much better to be feared than loved.
High Machiavellians may be expected to do the following:
Neglect to share important information.
Find subtle ways of making another person look bad to management.
Fail to meet their obligations.
Spread false rumors about another person.
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