Understanding a Machiavellian Personality: Traits, Behaviour and Character
Machiavellian personalities are individuals who possess a cunning and manipulative streak, using their intelligence to achieve their desired goals. They manipulate, lie and deceive people in order to achieve their own ends. This type of personality is named after Niccolo Machiavelli, a 16th century Italian political philosopher whose book, ‘The Prince’ is often used as a guide for those who want to attain and maintain power. Here are some key traits, behaviors and characteristics of a Machiavellian personality.
The Traits
Machiavellian personalities are typically narcissistic, with a grandiose sense of self-importance. They are skilled manipulators, able to manipulate situations and people to their advantage. These individuals are also highly pragmatic and have a strong focus on achieving their desired outcomes, regardless of the impact on others. They tend to be calculative, always weighing the potential benefits against the costs.
The Behavior
The manipulative nature of Machiavellian personalities is reflected in their behavior. They are experts at deception and often lie without hesitation. They may use other people for their own gain, and often lack the ability to form genuine relationships built on trust and mutual respect. Machiavellian personalities may use flattery to win people over and get what they want, but this is often just another tool in their arsenal of manipulation.
The Character
Machiavellian personalities may appear charming and charismatic on the surface, but underneath they are often cold and calculating. They view the world as a landscape where they are the sole player, and everyone else is pawns to be used or discarded as necessary. This mindset can lead to a lack of empathy and remorse for the harm that they cause others. They may have a cynical view of human nature and view kindness as a weakness to be exploited.
Examples
One example of a Machiavellian personality is former US President Richard Nixon. Nixon was known for his manipulative tactics, including his infamous ‘Dirty Tricks’ campaign which aimed to undermine his opponents. Another example is the disgraced financier Bernard Madoff, who orchestrated one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history. Madoff used his charisma and reputation to persuade clients to invest billions of dollars, ultimately causing untold harm to their finances and reputations.
Conclusion
Understanding the traits, behavior, and character of people with Machiavellian personalities is crucial in recognizing and dealing with them. By identifying these individuals early on and not falling prey to their manipulation, we can protect ourselves and others from their harmful actions. It is important to remember that Machiavellians can be found in all areas of life – from politics to workplaces to relationships – and recognizing and dealing with these personalities is key to achieving success and maintaining healthy relationships.
