Machiavellian Manipulator

Yesterday's blog story stuck with me again today. One coworker told another about her boss ranting like a child after a client changed the scope of a project. The employee was upset and did not hold the boss, whom I gathered is the VP of Sales or Client Services, in high regard.

What sticks in my mind today about the incident is how often I hear similar stories. As a leadership consultant who meets dozens of people a week through programs, networking, or interviews, hearing about an executive going off on people is not rare.

Often, the executive is a Machiavellian Manipulator. He is well dressed, well spoken, well connected. He is everything a well respected executive should be--in front of fellow execs or Board members. Behind closed doors with lower level employees, however, his is something else.

He is often feared because of his lack of emotional control. He lacks respect for people lower on the career ladder than himself, and shows it by speaking down to them, ignoring their requests, and diminishing their needs. He takes credit for their ideas and feels entitled to do so. He manipulates those who report to him because they cannot speak up to anyone.

Who would believe their word against the person who is so well liked, spoken, and connected? No one. So, the employees continue being afraid, disengaged, and biding their time until they can move elsewhere.

As a leader, be weary of being the Machiavellian Manipulator and make sure none are on your team. If you have an executive who reports to you who fits this description, it would be worth your time to adjust his, or her, attitude before he costs you clients and valued employees.