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Psychopathic Leadership A Case Study of a Corporate Psychopath CEO

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  • Clive R. Boddy

    (Middlesex University Business School)

Abstract

This longitudinal case study reports on a charity in the UK which gained a new CEO who was reported by two middle managers who worked in the charity, to embody (respectively) all or most of the ten characteristics within a measure of corporate psychopathy. The leadership of this CEO with a high corporate psychopathy score was reported to be so poor that the organisation was described as being one without leadership and as a lost organisation with no direction. This paper outlines the resultant characteristics of the ensuing aimlessness and lack of drive of the organisation involved. Comparisons are made to a previous CEO in the same organisation, who was reportedly an authentic, effective and transformational leader. Outcomes under the CEO with a high corporate psychopathy score were related to bullying, staff withdrawal and turnover as effective employees stayed away from and/or left the organisation. Outcomes also included a marked organisational decline in terms of revenue, employee commitment, creativity and organisational innovativeness. The paper makes a contribution to both leadership and to corporate psychopathy research as it appears to be the first reported study of a CEO with a high corporate psychopathy score.

Suggested Citation

  • Clive R. Boddy, 2017. "Psychopathic Leadership A Case Study of a Corporate Psychopath CEO," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 145(1), pages 141-156, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:145:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s10551-015-2908-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2908-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Clive Boddy, 2014. "Corporate Psychopaths, Conflict, Employee Affective Well-Being and Counterproductive Work Behaviour," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 121(1), pages 107-121, April.
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    2. Hezun Li & Siri Terjesen & Timurs Umans, 2020. "Corporate governance in entrepreneurial firms: a systematic review and research agenda," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 54(1), pages 43-74, January.
    3. L. Maxim Laurijssen & Barbara Wisse & Stacey Sanders & Ed Sleebos, 2024. "How to Neutralize Primary Psychopathic Leaders’ Damaging Impact: Rules, Sanctions, and Transparency," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 189(2), pages 365-383, January.
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    6. Mario Bogdanovic & Domagoj Cingula, 2015. "Dark Triad of Croatian Management Students," Central European Business Review, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2015(4), pages 30-47.
    7. Ling L. Harris & Scott B. Jackson & Joel Owens & Nicholas Seybert, 2022. "Recruiting Dark Personalities for Earnings Management," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 178(1), pages 193-218, June.

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