Machiavellian Personality Traits
Leaders Higher in Machiavellian Personality Traits - The 'Cunning Chess Masters'
Leaders with high levels of Machiavellian traits tend to be extremely good at long-term planning, not leaving things to chance, and managing information to achieve their objectives. They ensure all options are explored, the strategy is formed, and the outcome is almost predetermined before the competition is even aware that the wheels are in motion. On the downside, they may do whatever it takes to achieve their plans, and they may erode trust if they disregard traditional virtues like telling the truth, caring for people, and following the rules because they believe 'the end justifies the means'.
Positive Impacts on Psychosocial Risk and Business Performance:
Lowering Anxiety: Cunning Chess-Masters’ control information, reducing team anxiety by eliminating fears of imagined threats. Directing focus ensures the team remains engaged, minimizing distractions and worry.
Optimal Stimulation: Cunning Chess-Masters’ assign tasks based on the team’s energy levels, preventing overstimulation and maintaining a ‘flow state.’ By limiting cross-communication, they protect the ‘master plan,’ ensuring each team focuses solely on their part of the project.
Negative Impacts on Psychosocial Risk and Business Performance:
Increased Ambiguity:Cunning Chess-Masters’often create ambiguity, leaving the team uncertain about plans and directions. This leads to disengagement and action paralysis, as team members don’t know what to do or where to start.
Rising Conformity: Ambiguity can also cause conformity, with team members feeling powerless and disengaged with the Cunning Chess-Masters’. They may give up or give in, believing their decisions don’t matter, which stifles innovation and critical thinking.
While Cunning Chess-Masters craft and execute strategic master plans, their traits can foster a toxic environment if unchecked. They need self-awareness and balance to steer their teams effectively through business challenges.
Leaders Lower in Machiavellian Personality Traits - The 'Forthright Firefighters'
Leaders with low levels of Machiavellian traits tend to be highly transparent and prefer to live in the moment, reacting to crises and critical situations quickly and effectively. This can enable a culture of openness, transparency, and fast and effective action. On the downside, a lack of future focus and forward vision and planning can create a cycle of fighting fires that could have been prevented. Leaders without longer-term vision may subject their teams to constant crisis that repeatedly blindsides them and eventually burns them out.
Positive Impacts on Psychosocial Risk and Business Performance:
Lowering Anxiety: Forthright Firefighters' transparency with information reduces anxiety by grounding the team in reality and preventing fears about unknown possibilities.
Minimizing Ambiguity: Clear communication from Forthright Firefighters reduces ambiguity, ensuring that actions and requirements are well understood. This clarity allows the team to focus on actual problems without wasting energy on uncertainties.
Negative Impacts on Psychosocial Risk and Business Performance
High Stimulation and Burnout: Forthright Firefighters thrive in urgent situations, but their continuous crisis mode can overstimulate and burn out the team. Constant high-pressure environments are not sustainable for most teams, leading to fatigue and decreased performance.
Risk of Conformity: A crisis-focused leader may inadvertently foster conformity. A fatigued team may stop challenging ideas and follow the leader's direction without question. This can be dangerous if the leader steers the team in the wrong direction, potentially leading to catastrophic outcomes.
Forthright Firefighters must cultivate a healthy conflict and feedback culture to avoid conformity and steer the team correctly. While their crisis management skills are invaluable, balancing immediate action with long-term planning and team sustainability is crucial for success.
