Is Your Business Consultant a Psychopath?

December 1st, 2009 |

Psychopath! What picture does that word conjure in your mind?

Too often we associate the idea of psychopath with Anthony Hopkins brilliant portrayal of Dr. Hanibal Lecter. Lecter is a psychiatrist with an eating disorder: He’s a cannibal. So you see him on the screen apparently eating someone’s brains.

Now that picture is not one of a business consultant. But neither is it a picture of a real psychopath.

There are number of identifiers of a psychopath, and his near-twin brother, the narcissistic personality disorder. They share some common traits. One of the identifiers is a continuous attempt to manipulate people and outcomes.

But the most obvious identifier of the psychopath is anti-social behavior. Sound familiar? It should. It is common among people who insist that their understanding of life is the only one. Others must conform to their model of reality. And they will undertake a number of activities to ensure this occurs.

Chief among these is manipulation. They want an outcome — their outcome. They will lie and cheat, use threats, violence and sex and do whatever is necessary to achieve that goal.

And they will do it such charming way, that you don’t see the danger . . . until it is too late.

In the business consulting field, the psychopathic consultant is one who is supremely confident that his method of operating a company is the only one and you need to conform yourself to his management model. What are some of the signs of this consultant?

An exaggerated sense of self importance. This type of person loves to be recognized. An indication is the amount of time they spend talking about themselves.

An unhealthy preoccupation with fantasies of success, power and authority.

A belief they are “special” and can be understood only by other “special” people.

They require excessive admiration by other people.

They have a sense of entitlement. They expect almost automatic obedience. If they shout “jump”, the response should be, “how high.” Disobedience is not an option.

They take advantage and manipulate others to accomplish their own ends.

They have little empathy with others, and in fact have no desire to have empathy with others.

They can be envious of others. Envy says, “If I can’t have it, then neither can you.” The psychopath destroys what he cannot have so others cannot have it.

They are arrogant and contemptuous. They treat everyone else like dirt.

Maybe this is a picture of your consultant.

Or, it could even be a picture of your boss.

There is one response: run.

Posted in Psychology

Clarion Communications

Is Your Business Consultant a Psychopath?

Leave a Reply