Psychopaths make up 1% of the general populations. These people are characterized by their famous lack of empathy, responsibility, socialization, and remorse. Some other traits associated with psychopathy are impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and aggression. Interestingly enough, psychopaths can range from criminals to white collar workers. Some can be living in the streets, while others are fabulously wealthy.

As I mentioned earlier, psychopaths make up 1% of the general population, but business leaders are four times more likely to be psychopaths than the average person. According to this shocking statistic, one in five CEOs show clinically psychopathic traits. That’s a startlingly high number. This is largely due to the rewards psychopaths reap in the business world for their behavior.

Psychopaths are chameleons. They possess a superficial, slick charm that is utilized to manipulate others. They have an amazing front game and will treat you especially kind if they want something from you. Successful psychopaths often perform what is called philanthropic psychopathy: giving money to charitable causes to serve as a distraction from other things going on.

Aside from business leadership positions, you tend to see psychopaths in competitive environments with high stake and high visibility positions such as in law, medical, and military fields. Jobs aren’t screening for personality traits; they’re screening for people’s ability to efficiency in completing tasks. Because of a psychopath’s very planned and methodical approach, utter lack of empathy, and precision they make great candidates for specific jobs.

Psychopath’s brains are actually differently from the average person’s. They have an extreme inability to empathize with other human beings. Psychopaths are incredibly comfortable with exploiting other people for their own personal gain.

Dr. Ramani, a licensed clinical psychologist, offers advice on how to deal with a psychopath in any situation: “What you don’t want to do is gossip about the psychopath because they’re better at that than you are. They’re already stabbing you in the back… way ahead of you. They’re going to play this game way better than you so you’re best off trying to play a clean game rather than trying to beat them at their own game.”

Because of psychopath’s superficial charm and glibness, they can often be found in relationships where they are the abusers. Psychopaths tend to gaslight people: a manipulation tactic that makes a victim question their own reality while making the user more powerful.

Dr. Ramani states, “Entrusting your dreams or aspirations to the wrong person could be a critical mistake, lest they mistreat or neglect them. We are not nearly as careful with our dreams as we should be.”

She says, “Emotional abuse is not okay any day of the week.”

Many highlight psychopaths as ruthless serial killers. While psychopaths can be scary criminals, it is also important to note that there are countless psychopaths in professional, high paying jobs.

Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Igor Galynker talks about psychopaths: “We promote them, we elect them, and sometimes, a lot of people feel comfortable when people like that are in charge of our lives.”