Psychopathic Leaders in the Military

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Psychopaths make up a disproportionate number of successful high profile leaders. As researchers develop an understanding of this population, what do their lessons have for the military? Does the military attract psychopaths or repel them?

#militarylife #leadership #psychology

Note: The views expressed in this video are the presenter's and do not represent the policy or guidance of the Department of Defense or its subordinate elements.

[EricDaMAJ]

The real tragedy of psychopathic leaders is when they hollow out a unit they lead. Then depart with accolades and OER bullets to another command. Leaving their successor to fix a unit in no way prepared for combat - or much of anything else. That guy will sometimes need luck to not only succeed but get recognized for his or her work.

[jlocke]

I worked for a lot of these guys over the years.

[justinfreeman]

I've seen these people be successful as military officers when they are actively destructive.

While I do think they are more prevalent among the officer corps than the US population at large.... They also aren't terribly common. I've worked with easily a hundred officers so far, and out of them all I'd say only ONE was definitely a psychopath, and two others PROBABLY were. Which means my anecdotal experience roughly corroborates the report you referred to.

That said while all 3 of the above were successful FGOs ... I haven't encountered a flag officer who I thought was a psychopath yet. So my personal experience - so far - also corroborates your hypothesis that they get sorted out before they are too powerful. That said, an O-4 to O-6, in the right position, is already very influential.

[gregorybrennan]

Wow, I am glad that this NEVER EVER HAPPENS IN MEDICINE, EVER. Nobody in a hospital ever has shuch an ego.
I use this channel to mentor students.

[Texasdav]

Most are in the Army, and Army special forces, following closely is Navy, Naval special forces. There are parts of all services that breed and reward psychopathy. How these arrogant sadists get promoted--and they do--is beyond me.

[willclayton]

i think thes "psychopathis" in leadership postion theory is just the iner fellings of the poepel riting the artical. you dont have need for things you allredy have.

[oldtop]

Yep, served with a few officers and senior NCOs that had these traits. One of the officers (an LTC) actually raised the proficiency of the unit. BUT, he ruled by fear. Morale was very low, but folks knew their jobs cold. When he left Europe the unit had a "wheels up" party as soon as they got a call from Frankfurt that the plane had left. This is probably the worst of this type that I experienced, but there were a few others. I think what irritated me most was these people breaking the rules, but expecting EVERYBODY else to follow them to the letter. Goose-Gander buddy.

Those goofy personality and leadership tests do have some value, but you have to apply yourself to working on the weak areas.

[williammarriott]

If you wear a button down collar shirt perhaps you should button down the collar. You do own more that one shirt...right?

[screwstatists]

Ultimately, it is a harmful and stigmatizing hypothesis against otherwise effective leaders. Far better would be to encourage positive behaviors that integrate our EMOTIONAL disorder. Understand the need for those with social emotional defficiency (SED) to be aware of and to suppress on grounds of prudence our vulnerability to dark triad PERSONALITY disorders. Due to a defficiency of social emotions, the executive function of the ego dominates, so we have to look for reasons to suppress narcissism, sadism, and compulsive antisocial behaviors. My Christian faith is very effective in this regard as someone on the SED spectrum.
The risk of witch hunts against people like me is self-evident. Instead, give us the tools to function at a higher level and integrate our positive traits while suppressing the bad behaviors we are vulnerable to.

[martialmusic]

Consider our President elect. Consider Putin. Assad.