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8 Signs Your Boss Might Be a High-Functioning Sociopath
And why it’s not just a bad job but a deep psychological threat.
Some of the most successful people in corporate leadership are, at a psychological level, really dangerous.
I don’t mean it in a way to suggest that they’re serial killers hiding behind suits. But dangerous in a less unrecognizable, more subtler way.
They’re what psychologists call “high-functioning sociopaths .”
These are people who lack empathy, remorse, or genuine emotional connection, but are charming, calculated, and often wildly successful in structured environments like business or politics.
You may think you’re simply stuck with a “difficult” boss. But if you find yourself constantly drained, manipulated, or feeling like you’re being gaslit by someone who always lands on their feet, you might be working under a high-functioning sociopath.
Here are 8 signs to help you see clearly what’s often hidden behind power, performance, and polished charisma:
They Charm You First, Then Control You Subtly
High-functioning sociopaths rarely reveal their true nature at the start. They don’t walk in yelling or threatening; they walk in smiling.
