#OONO! 11: Some of the "Bosses" We've Seen Many Times in Finance… Are Functional Psychopaths & Sociopaths ??

We often marvel at leaders who seem to weather the harshest storms… Yet the reality beneath is rarely straightforward…???

Now, before we dive into the deep end of leadership & psychology, let’s start with something a bit more hands-on…Ever wonder where you rank on the scale from “totally normal” to “maybe a sociopath” or even “borderline psychopath”? ??

Take this quick quiz & find out just how spicy your personality traits really are...

***Tally your score at the end of this article

A lot of these leadership types? They aren’t like everyone else…?????♂?

In discussing leadership, especially at such high levels, we can't ignore the psychological traits that often accompany it. These are what we’d call "functional psychopaths & sociopaths." It’s not just a label—it’s a trait… A mechanism, if you will. Think about the "bosses" we’ve all seen in finance… Not quite sure they interpret defeat, adversity, or pain the way most people would. It's almost like a self-selecting mechanism.

Imagine if you had the Kingdom with a population of 100M (all good-looking, witty, & runners, of course)... & in this normal population, you expect to find about 5% sociopaths & 1% psychopaths, you'd have:

• Population: 100M
• Sociopaths: 5M
• Psychopaths: 1M

The issue, as I’m sure you’ve already been prescient enough to see… It’s not evenly spread out. Most of what we celebrate, especially in individualistic cultures, are traits of sociopaths & psychopaths. ??

In venture, finance, the corporate C-suite, & high-ranking policy roles, the distribution probably looks more like this:

• 'Normal': 60%
• Sociopaths: 25%
• Psychopaths: 15%

& yes, I don't even think that's aggressive.

The Hidden Truth

People often imagine an alcoholic or drug user as a complete mess, like that scene in Wolf of Wall Street... Where Leo’s character thinks he’s driving just fine, but it’s a car crash. ??????

The reality is the opposite. The number of functional alcoholics & drug users out there would blow your mind. Don’t be shocked if you can’t spot the sociopaths & psychopaths around you… They’re often the ones who blend in the best. Their ability to mask their true nature is part of what makes them so effective—&, perhaps, so dangerous.????

Here’s the scoring system…Let’s see which category you fall into…

The scale…

Normal: Individuals in this range generally show empathy, remorse, and adhere to social norms. They might occasionally bend rules but feel bad about hurting others unnecessarily.

Sociopathic Tendencies: As scores increase, individuals show less empathy, more manipulation, a higher disregard for rules, and little to no remorse for their actions. The higher the score, the more pronounced these traits are, suggesting a move away from what's considered 'normal' social behavior towards sociopathic traits.

What This Means for Leadership

The presence of such personalities in leadership positions raises important questions about the nature of power & the kinds of people who are drawn to it—or perhaps, who are selected for it. In a world that increasingly values individualism, success & performance, the traits of sociopaths & psychopaths can be seen not just as flaws… But as assets.

For the 'normal' people working alongside them, or for the societies they lead? It suggests that the qualities we often celebrate in leaders—decisiveness, resilience, an unshakeable focus—may come with a darker side. It prompts us to consider how we might want to rethink our definitions of leadership, success… & even normalcy. ????

Keep questioning the narratives you’re fed, & recognize the masks people wear.

In the grand theater of power & influence, the plot is always more intricate than it appears. ????

Namaste,

-KVP

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Start·End = Gratitude+Integrity+Vision+Tenacity | Process>Outcome | Sizing>Position

This is The Way

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Lastly, #OONO is meant to enhance one's thinking & process; whether one agrees or disagrees with a framework or view from KVP, the end goal from his side is for #OONO to serve as a multiplier to enhance whatever your stance is on this beautiful blue planet.

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