How To Spot A Machiavellian Person In A Room?

✅ Today's Friday • 📖 8 mins read

— By Dr. Sandip Roy.

Machiavellians are like the puppeteers, pulling invisible strings to get people to do what they want.

Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian diplomat and philosopher, proposed that the ends justify the means. His philosophy was that immoral or unethical behavior is acceptable when there is a greater goal to be attained, like keeping power in politics.

The term Machiavellianism comes from his name. Master manipulators freely use Machiavellian principles in their interactions.

A Machiavellian can slither into a group conversation. Slowly, they start to control the conversation, get others to agree with them, and marginalize you from your own group.

So, how do we recognize this personality in social settings?

A Machiavellian’s hallmark signs are manipulation, a lack of morality, and a sharp focus on self-interest.

1. Manipulative Behavior

Manipulativeness is any Machiavellian’s default behavior. They will use any means to use people as their puppets and pawns.

Those who score high on Machiavellianism scales tend to employ deception and manipulation for self-benefit. – Jakobwitz & Egan, 2006.

They can strategically and subtly trick people to get what they want.

At work, a Machiavellian may subtly claim credit for a colleague’s hard work and boost their own status.

They are often also good at spreading rumors or misinformation to sway opinions in their favor.

2. Lack of Morality

Another hallmark of a Machiavellian personality is a lack of moral scruples.

These individuals often view ethical considerations as unnecessary obstacles rather than guides for behavior.

In social settings, this could manifest as exploiting others’ weaknesses for personal gain or engaging in unethical behaviors without remorse.

They are usually the first people to break rules or societal norms if they believe it will benefit them, showing little concern for the consequences on others.

3. Focus on Self-Interest

Machiavellians are typically highly focused on self-interest.

This self-centeredness makes them continually evaluate situations and people based on how they can be used for personal advancement.

In a group setting, they give priority to tasks or decisions that benefit them personally, even if they’re hurting the group’s objectives. They can easily shift loyalties or opinions if they perceive it as beneficial to their personal agenda.

They are often unbothered about altruism, and their generosity is most likely a put-up show rather than a genuine act.

In a room full of people, they think like a chess game, calculating every move for personal gain.

A Machiavellian is typically charming to approach and engaging to interact with.

They’re like social chameleons, changing colors to fit the situation. They can act as the most supportive person in one moment, then quickly shift to a critic when it benefits them.

Watch for how they might subtly shift blame onto others when things go wrong, never taking the fall themselves.

• They are experts at forming alliances, but not the friendly kind. Their alliances are more like strategic partnerships, fully designed to level up their influence or status in the group.
• They may appear to be a team player, but their actions are often calculated to increase their own power or status.
• They frequently excel at reading people and situations, using these insights to manipulate outcomes in their favor.

Remember, while it’s common for most of us to act in our own interests to some extent, Machiavellians do so in a way that is often harmful to others and devoid of ethical considerations.

4. Subtle Signs of Machiavellianism

Machiavellians are like polished actors in the real world. Some of their other signs include insincere flattery, feigned interest in others, fake empathy, or a tendency to shirk responsibility and blame-shifting.

• Think of a person who seems really interested in your life, but you later realize it was all for gathering information they could use.
• A classic Machiavellian move is avoiding commitment and accountability. They always have an excuse or a way to deflect blame onto someone else.
• Their insincere flattery and fake compliments can make almost anyone feel too good to refuse them a favor.

Machiavellian traits are not usually displayed in isolated incidents. The key is to observe their behavior patterns over time in real-life scenarios.

3 Situations of A Typical Machiavellian

Corporate Takeover

• Using his charm, he allied with key stakeholders in his company, gaining their trust.
• Orchestrated a strategic takeover behind the scenes, leveraging insider information.
• Manipulated colleagues to oust a rival for a top executive position, showcasing ruthless ambition and strategic manipulation.

Social Manipulation

• At a networking event, he expertly flattered and ingratiated himself with influential figures.
• Later, he used the connections and information gathered to advance his business interests.
• Spread rumors to discredit competitors, and used his skill in using charm for deceitful purposes.

Personal Relationships

• In his personal life, he feigned deep romantic interest in a wealthy partner.
• Once he gained access to their social and financial resources, he gradually isolated them from their support network.
• Ultimately leveraging the relationship for personal financial gain, exemplifying his self-serving tactics and lack of genuine emotional attachment.

Historical Examples of Machiavellian Traits

1. Julius Caesar’s Rise to Power

Julius Caesar’s political career is a classic example of Machiavellian strategy. He formed key alliances with powerful figures like Pompey and Crassus (the First Triumvirate) to elevate his status. Caesar adeptly used these alliances to gain control, showing strategic manipulation and a focus on self-interest.

2. Catherine the Great of Russia

Catherine the Great’s rise to power showcases Machiavellian tactics. She orchestrated a coup against her own husband, Peter III, to become the sole ruler of Russia. Her strategic maneuvering, which involved forming alliances with the military and key political figures, demonstrated her ability to manipulate events and people for her own gain.

3. Joseph Stalin’s Political Purges

Stalin’s regime in the Soviet Union was marked by extreme Machiavellianism. He conducted widespread purges, eliminating anyone he deemed a threat to his power. Stalin’s manipulation of the Communist Party, his strategic alliances and betrayals, and his ruthless focus on consolidating power are stark examples of Machiavellian behavior in a historical context.

4. Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate scandal is an example of Machiavellian behavior in modern history. His administration’s attempt to cover up its involvement in the break-in and its subsequent actions were driven by a desire to protect Nixon’s political interests, demonstrating a lack of morality and a focus on self-interest.

Niccolò Machiavelli’s Book “The Prince”

Niccolò Machiavelli‘s “The Prince,” written in the early 16th century, is one of the most influential works in political theory and realpolitik. It has served generations of oppressive rulers on how they can gain and maintain power.

“The Prince” justifies resorting to atrocities like oppressing minorities and terrifying the populace to quell dissent, while keeping up the appearance of a benevolent leader. A famous idea from “The Prince” is that it’s more important for a ruler to be feared than loved, as long as he is not hated. Fear, he argues, is a more reliable motivator than love or loyalty.

Four of Niccolò Machiavelli’s famous quotes:

• “The ends justify the means.”
• “It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both.”
• “He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.”
• “There is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you.”

Books On Machiavellian Themes

1. “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare (1603): Shakespeare’s play is an early example of Machiavellian themes in literature, particularly through characters like Claudius and Hamlet.
2. “The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas (1844): This classic revenge story highlights Machiavellian vengeance and strategy as Edmond Dantès meticulously plans his revenge.
3. “The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith (1955): Tom Ripley is a quintessential Machiavellian character, always using trademark traits to achieve his ambitions.
4. “The Manchurian Candidate” by Richard Condon (1959): This novel explores the consequences of Machiavellian schemes in politics, with intricate conspiracies at high government levels.
5. “A Game of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin (1996): This series is filled with Machiavellian dynamics, where characters use fear and manipulation for power.
6. “The Poppy War” by R.F. Kuang (2018): This series delves into the Machiavellian journey of Rin, who is willing to go to great lengths to win.

Final Words

Machiavellianism = Manipulation + Emotional coldness + Indifference to morality

• Machiavellianism is a live wire in political arenas, and many leaders with these traits use their power to reshape national policies and international relations.
• We also encounter this personality disorder often playing out in many of our social interactions in our personal and professional lives.

√ Please share it with someone if you found this helpful.

√ Also Read: 10 Signs of A Master Manipulator