Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare

Overview

"Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go To Work" is a compelling book written by Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare. This book explores the presence of psychopaths in the corporate world and aims to increase awareness and understanding of their behaviors. Paul Babiak is an industrial-organizational psychologist, and Robert D. Hare is a renowned expert on psychopathy and the creator of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist.

Key Points / Ideas

1. The Prevalence of Psychopaths in Corporate Environments

The book emphasizes that psychopaths can be found in all areas of life, including the workplace. It highlights that the corporate world, with its focus on power, money, and manipulation, provides an ideal environment for psychopathic individuals to thrive. The authors argue that the prevalence of psychopaths in high-ranking positions is higher than in the general population.

2. Understanding Corporate Psychopaths

Babiak and Hare provide a detailed analysis of the characteristics and behaviors of psychopaths in the workplace. They outline the "snakes in suits" concept, which refers to psychopaths who manipulate and exploit others while maintaining a professional and charming facade. The authors discuss how these individuals deceive their colleagues and superiors, adopting adaptive behaviors to climb the corporate ladder.

3. The Impact of Corporate Psychopaths

The book highlights the negative consequences of psychopathic behaviors on organizations and individuals. Corporate psychopaths tend to create toxic work environments, leading to decreased morale, increased turnover, and reduced productivity. Babiak and Hare argue that organizations need to address these issues to protect their employees and overall success.

4. Identifying and Dealing with Corporate Psychopaths

The authors provide various strategies for identifying and dealing with corporate psychopaths. They discuss the importance of recognizing red flags, such as superficial charm, lack of empathy, and manipulative tactics. Babiak and Hare also emphasize the need for organizational policies and procedures to prevent the influence and damage caused by psychopaths. They recommend fostering ethical work cultures, implementing rigorous hiring processes, and encouraging open communication and reporting.

Conclusion

"Snakes in Suits" sheds light on an often overlooked issue within the corporate world - the presence of psychopaths and their impact on organizations and individuals. Through their research and expertise, Paul Babiak and Robert D. Hare provide valuable insights and strategies for understanding, identifying, and dealing with corporate psychopaths.

This book serves as a wake-up call for both employees and organizations, encouraging them to recognize the signs of psychopathic behavior and take appropriate actions to mitigate its harmful effects. "Snakes in Suits" is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dark side of workplaces and promoting healthier work environments.

For further exploration on this topic, readers may also consider "The Psychopath Test" by Jon Ronson and "Without Conscience" by Robert D. Hare, which provide additional perspectives on psychopathy and its impact on society.