BEWARE THE OFFICE PSYCHOPATH

Psychopaths are not just found in serial killer movies and crime novels – they stalk corporate corridors too, where their trail of destruction might not include murder, but can mean the death of productivity, motivation and profits.

- Renata Schoeman

The manipulation, deception, inflated self-esteem and back-stabbing of the corporate psychopath or narcissist can often cause work-related depression, anxiety disorders, burnout and physical illnesses – conditions that cost the South African economy more than R40 billion annually.

Work-related stress accounts for more than 40% of all workplace-related illnesses in South Africa, with at least one in four employees diagnosed with depression. It is often the leaders – who should be at the forefront of reducing workplace stress and burnout – who contribute to the problem, rather than the solution.

This is not a ‘difficult’ boss, but a boss who is a bully – many of whom could be defined as corporate psychopaths. Such people’s behaviour increases conflict, stress, staff turnover and absenteeism, reduces productivity and collective social responsibility, and erodes corporate culture and ethical standards – diminishing shareholder value and returns on investment.

Workplace bullying is a major cause of stress. A 2017 survey in the USA found that adults were being bullied at levels similar to teenagers – 31% of adults had been bullied at work and almost half believed that bullying behaviour was becoming more acceptable in the workplace.

In the same survey, 70% or more of bullying victims had experienced stress, anxiety or depression; 55% reported loss of confidence; 39% suffered from lack of sleep; 17% called in sick frequently; and 19% had suffered a mental breakdown. Emotional stress can also cause or aggravate physical illnesses, such as gastrointestinal problems and cardiovascular problems, and victims of workplace bullying had double the risk of considering suicide in the five years following. Chief executives have the highest prevalence of