Corporate psychopaths exist in every industry, often climbing the ranks through manipulation, deceit, and a complete lack of empathy.
They can make workplaces toxic, destroy morale, and exploit anyone and everyone they can for their own gain. If you’ve ever worked with someone who seemed dangerously charming yet ruthless, you might have encountered one. (In fact, in all likelihood, you definitely have.) Here are a few glaring warning signs that you could be dealing with one of these toxic and potentially dangerous types — get as far away from them as possible if you relate to these!
1. They charm their way to the top.
At first glance, they can seem like the most charismatic person in the room. They have an uncanny ability to make people like them, often using charm to gain trust and influence. They know exactly what to say to impress, using flattery and confidence to create an image of success. But beneath the charm is a manipulative agenda. They don’t form genuine connections; they build alliances that serve their own interests. Over time, their charm starts to feel hollow as people realise their relationships are purely transactional.
2. They take credit for other people’s work.
They have no problem stealing ideas, successes, or achievements from colleagues. They position themselves as the mastermind behind every great result, even when they had little to do with it. Their ability to spin narratives makes them convincing, often fooling leadership into thinking they’re more capable than they actually are. This leaves hard-working employees feeling frustrated and unrecognised. If you’ve ever seen someone rise through the ranks despite contributing very little, there’s a good chance they’ve been taking credit for other people’s efforts behind the scenes.
3. They lack empathy for colleagues (or anyone else, really).
Genuine leaders care about their team, but corporate psychopaths view people as nothing more than tools to get ahead. They have no concern for other people’s well-being, whether it’s a struggling co-worker or an overworked employee. They might appear sympathetic when it benefits them, but there’s no real emotional depth. If someone is hurt, exhausted, or dealing with personal problems, they won’t offer genuine support. They might even exploit vulnerabilities to gain more control, seeing weakness as an opportunity rather than something to be met with kindness.
4. They thrive in office politics and manipulation.
These people love power plays and office politics. They know how to manipulate situations, turn people against each other, and create conflicts that work in their favour. Rather than focusing on actual work, they invest their energy in controlling narratives and making themselves look good. They spread misinformation, fuel rivalries, and play colleagues off against each other, ensuring that they always come out on top. If your workplace feels like a constant political game, there’s a strong chance someone at the centre of it is pulling the strings.
5. They lie effortlessly.
Truth and integrity mean nothing to them. Lying is second nature to them, and they do it with such confidence that it’s often difficult to tell when they’re being dishonest. They twist facts, rewrite history, and fabricate stories to fit their agenda. Unlike ordinary liars, they don’t hesitate, stumble, or appear nervous when caught. Instead, they double down, gaslight people, or point the finger/pass the blame, making it incredibly difficult to hold them accountable for their dishonesty.
6. They exploit company resources for personal gain.
While most people follow workplace policies and ethical guidelines, a corporate psychopath views rules as something to be worked around. They have no problem abusing company resources, whether that’s misusing budgets, overstepping boundaries, or taking advantage of other people’s time. They justify their actions by claiming they deserve special treatment. Whether it’s extravagant expense claims, unnecessary meetings to boost their profile, or cutting corners to improve their results, their self-serving behaviour often goes unnoticed… until the damage is already done.
7. They pit colleagues against each other.
A toxic workplace often has one person stirring the pot, creating division where none existed before. They love drama because it makes people easier to manipulate. They subtly spread rumours, make passive-aggressive remarks, and encourage distrust between colleagues. By keeping people divided, they maintain control. If employees are too busy arguing with each other, they won’t notice the psychopath’s manipulations or challenge their behaviour. The end result? A fractured team where no one feels truly secure.
8. They shift blame but take all the glory.
When things go wrong, they’ll never take responsibility. Instead, they’ll find a scapegoat — someone else to take the fall for their mistakes. They’re masters at twisting situations to ensure that they always come out looking blameless. On the flip side, when things go well, they make sure they are front and centre, taking credit for every success. Their ability to rewrite narratives makes it hard for anyone else to challenge their version of events, leaving victims of their blame-shifting feeling powerless.
9. They make decisions based purely on self-interest.
Most people consider how their actions affect other people, but they only care about their own gain. They will make choices that benefit them personally, even if it means harming colleagues, clients, or the company itself. Whether it’s cutting costs at the expense of employee well-being, making unethical deals, or betraying colleagues for a promotion, their decisions are always about advancing themselves. Long-term consequences don’t matter to them, as long as they get what they want in the moment.
10. They lack genuine friendships in the workplace.
Despite appearing socially skilled, these people rarely form real friendships at work. Their relationships are built on convenience and manipulation rather than genuine connection. Once someone is no longer useful to them, they are discarded without hesitation. Colleagues may mistake their friendliness for sincerity, but over time, it becomes clear that their interest in other people is purely strategic. Unlike true workplace friendships that involve mutual support, their interactions are purely transactional.
11. They have a history of leaving chaos behind.
If you look at their career history, you’ll often find a pattern of short-term successes followed by long-term damage. They might have climbed the corporate ladder quickly, but they leave behind burned bridges, unhappy teams, and major problems. Companies may only realise the extent of the damage once the psychopath has moved on to their next opportunity. The ability to escape consequences makes them dangerous, as they keep finding new organisations to exploit before their true nature is exposed.
12. They fake remorse but never actually change.
If they’re ever called out on their behaviour, they are skilled at faking remorse. They might apologise, promise to do better, or act as if they are reflecting on their mistakes. But nothing ever truly changes. Their apologies are performative, designed to maintain their position rather than a genuine attempt to improve. Once the situation calms down, they go right back to their usual tactics, showing that any remorse they displayed was purely for show.
13. They create a culture of fear.
In workplaces dominated by corporate psychopaths, there’s often a sense of unease. Employees are afraid to speak up, question decisions, or challenge authority because they know there will be consequences. Whether through intimidation, manipulation, or subtle threats, the psychopath ensures that fear keeps people in line. This type of toxic environment leads to high turnover, burnout, and a lack of trust among employees. Over time, the best talent leaves, and the organisation suffers, while the psychopath continues to climb the ladder, unaffected by the damage they’ve caused.
