Research by academics at the University of British Columbia has revealed that up to 1 per cent of the UK population (600,000) could be made up of psychopaths. Furthermore, their ‘unique’ characteristics often help them to excel in the workplace to such a degree that they regularly attain management positions.



Before checking your life insurance policy, however, they are not violent but do share many of the qualities you might associate with former employees of the Bates Motel. These ‘qualities’ are fundamental in helping them climb the corporate ladder.



They can be manipulative, arrogant, callous, impatient, impulsive, unreliable, superficially charming and susceptible to flying into rages. Further redeeming features include a fondness for breaking promises and blaming colleagues when things go wrong. It is their single-minded focus, however, that helps them to achieve their corporate goals.



According to Professor Hare, who led the research:



“Wherever you find money, prestige and power you will find them. The most important thing is to be aware you are working with a psychopath. Then you are in better position to deal with them.”



The fundamental characteristic of all psychopaths is having no conscience and consequently lacking any empathy with their fellow man. Small wonder then that they seem to particularly thrive in industries where a little ruthlessness goes a long way, namely business, law, politics and the media.