An interesting 2019 article by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic (currently, Chief Innovation Officer of ManpowerGroup), discussed psychopaths and related traits in leadership roles.

These are selected notes from the article below.

* According a study dating back to 2010, there were at least three times as many psychopaths in executive or CEO roles than in the overall population.
But more recent data found it’s now a much higher figure: 20 percent.

* Spotting A Psychopath
Narcissism involves an unrealistic sense of grandiosity and superiority, manifested in the form of vanity, self-admiration and delusions of talent.
Main characteristics of narcissistic and toxic bosses:
1. They often crave validation and recognition from others.
2. They tend to be self-centered.
3. They have high levels of entitlement.

* As I highlight in my most recent book, “Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? (And How to Fix It),” many wildly celebrated character traits, such as courage and risk-taking, often coexist with psychopathic tendencies.

Finding The Balance
* To some degree, all successful entrepreneurs have problems with authority, which is why they are so eager to demolish the status quo and replace it with something else.
* So while a certain degree of nonconformity and unconventionality is needed to drive innovation and entrepreneurship, any leader will need to have a minimum level of integrity, empathy and altruism to be able to connect with and focus on the well-being of their teams, rather than on advancing their own personal agenda.
* It is this range of pro-social and ethical traits that can turn even contrarian and combative personalities into a catalyst for good in society: Replacing the status quo with a better version of progress.

Source:
1 in 5 business leaders may have psychopathic tendencies—here’s why, according to a psychology professor; cnbc.com; April 9, 2019; Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic