Dark triad traits, gender, and leadership effectiveness among private sector employees

Abstract

In today's complex organizational landscape, understanding the dynamics of effective leadership is crucial for long-term success. A key area of inquiry in this realm involves exploring how personality traits shape leadership behavior and outcomes. One prominent set of traits garnering attention is the Dark Triad, comprising narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, characterized by manipulative tendencies, lack of empathy, and self-interest. This paper synthesizes existing research on the Dark Triad, highlighting its manifestations, prevalence, and implications for leadership effectiveness. It also examines the role of gender in shaping these relationships, drawing on studies exploring gender differences in Dark Triad traits and their impact on leadership outcomes. Furthermore, the paper delves into specific traits within the Dark Triad, such as narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy, discussing their historical context, behavioral manifestations, and organizational implications. This study aims to explore how dark triad personality intersect with leadership effectiveness among 200 employees aged 20-50 residing in, India. Short Dark Triad Personality Test (SD3) by Jones & Paulhus (2013) and The Dhar and Pethe Leadership Effectiveness Scale (DLES) by Dhar and Pethe were employed as tools in the study. The analysis of the data was done using IBM SPSS. The findings offer insights into the real-world dynamics of dark triad traits and leadership effectiveness in contemporary urban workplaces. The study found that the Dark Triad, including psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism, doesn't impact a leader's leadership effectiveness in the private sector. It also found no correlation between gender and leadership efficacy. However, further research is needed to explore additional variables and validate these findings in diverse professional environments.