An interesting article

 

Abstract:

Despite large scale organizational failures attributed to the actions of either a small group of people, or just one out of control leader, the organizational science literature has remained largely silent on the topic of personality disorders. Personality disorders, particularly psychopathy, can be exacerbated and even perpetuated by organizational cultures. Psychopathic leaders leave a trail of damage at all levels of the organization. In the case of national and transnational corporations, the toxic environment that develops under the leadership of a psychopath can have devastating consequences not only for individuals and organizations, but also for regional, national and global economies. We present a brief discussion of organizational psychopaths in response to the books Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths go to Work and Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of Psychopaths Among Us. In particular, we examine how psychopaths enter the workplace and ascend to leadership, and how a psychoanalytical perspective can help organizations prevent the damage that they can cause. We suggest that if it is the goal of organizational science to prevent unacceptable organizational outcomes and destructive employee behaviors, then researchers and practitioners cannot ignore the presence of personality disorders in the workplace. Psychoanalytic approaches to the workplace provide a deep understanding of individual and group psychology leading to more effective workplace interventions.

Source: Workplace Predation: A Discussion – Center for the Study of Organizational Change