#10 | Between esotericism and evidence based leadership. A discussion of dark triads, charisma and underdogs

The dark triad – a combination of narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy – is an unfavourable personality trait that is at the same time perceived as being particularly charismatic, says Ralf Lanwehr, Germany’s most funded business psychologist and expert in evidence-based leadership. In conversation with Georgiy Michailov, Managing Partner with Struktur Management Partner, he explains that it is very short-sighted not to attempt to change this unfavourable trait. Because just as charisma can be learned, narcissism can be partially unlearned. Lanwehr and Michailov discuss different management methods and explore questions such as why, for example, the underdog narrative succeeds; what advantages a “Mia san mia” winning mentality has (“Mia san mia” being the self-assured club motto and rallying cry of Bayern Munich, meaning “We are who we are”); or how you recognise effective management methods “when your questionnaire research in HR is quite simply fit for the bin,” as Lanwehr makes clear. If we want more evidence, we need to back experimental research, he says. A method that has long been used in marketing in the form of A/B testing. That way, leadership coaching and personality training would not ultimately remain just expensive disappointments.

But even more problematic for Lanwehr is the current “new work” development. For a country like Germany, without natural resources, employee empowerment is extremely important. Because that is the only way to establish a culture of innovation. However, “new work” as it is being implemented at the moment often brings with it disorientation, arbitrariness and egoism. Because no one understands that freedom can only be established within a clear framework, says the business psychologist. This is also true for the transformation of a company or team. “Change always brings resistance,” the business psychologist knows. That is why it is important what the employees trust the manager to do, and how fair and comprehensible decisions are. Because only then will the losers in a change situation join in alongside the winners, who will participate anyway.

Listen to more on work-life or life-work, the dark triad, the challenges for integrators and separators, and why the sacking of coaches does not usually have any effect, in our current podcast.

*Video only in German