4 ms·

Why is it that a lot of successful entrepreneurs are sociopaths/narcissists?

10 points by SMAAART 6y ago

giantg2 6y ago
Do you have any data to support that? I vaguely remember some study from years ago that claimed that CEOs were more likely to be sociopaths or display sociopathic tendencies, but I don't remember the specifics.
codegeek 6y ago
Being an entrepreneur myself, I do think that we have to be a bit eccentric to be able to handle the pressure of running a company, no matter how big or small. I personally also think of myself as someone who cares a lot about himself (selfish/self centered??) but I try to channel that in a positive way. For example, I am so self centered sometimes that I know what my goals are and I will not let anyone keep me from it. That means saying NO to a lot of people including family. It however does sometimes means that I am ignoring other people around me and I have to always try and find a balance. Having said all this, I never want/try to hurt anyone or hurl personal abuse. I do try to be direct and blunt at times which can come off as aggressive. But that's how I roll and I cannot sugarcoat things. Sometimes it works against me. As a CEO, I have fired a lot of people over the last few years and I never enjoy doing it even though I have to be direct about it. Am I a sociopath/Narcissist ? You be the judge.
relaunched 6y ago
anecdotally, founders tend to spend the entire beginning not listening to others and trusting themselves and their vision. As they gain steam, they are surrounded by true believers...and dissenters don't stick around for long. As you make more and more calls, the only thing that matters is success. Of the success continues, one falsely gains a sense of divine decision making ability, reinforced by all the naysayers that are wrong. Then, you just have all the hangers-on that want a piece and they'll say and do whatever you want. That's a dangerous sequence of events that can lead to narcissism and sociopathy. *No evidence, just observation"
danieltillett 6y ago
Why is it that a lot of people who ask leading questions on HN are such morons?
killtimeatwork 6y ago
Success in business often requires extreme dedication. For self-involved people, the grind is often worth it, because achieving success visibly puts them over other people. Whereas for less ego-driven people, being perceived as "exceptional" not that important and probably not worth the required sacrifices.
burntoutfire 6y ago
Being ruthless helps with business. Just look at the shit Jobs pulled off with people. Being ruthless is sociopath's natural mode of being, while normal people have scruples and restraints, which hampers growth.

10 points by SMAAART 6y ago

Do you have any data to support that? I vaguely remember some study from years ago that claimed that CEOs were more likely to be sociopaths or display sociopathic tendencies, but I don't remember the specifics.

codegeek 6y ago

Being an entrepreneur myself, I do think that we have to be a bit eccentric to be able to handle the pressure of running a company, no matter how big or small. I personally also think of myself as someone who cares a lot about himself (selfish/self centered??) but I try to channel that in a positive way. For example, I am so self centered sometimes that I know what my goals are and I will not let anyone keep me from it. That means saying NO to a lot of people including family. It however does sometimes means that I am ignoring other people around me and I have to always try and find a balance. Having said all this, I never want/try to hurt anyone or hurl personal abuse. I do try to be direct and blunt at times which can come off as aggressive. But that's how I roll and I cannot sugarcoat things. Sometimes it works against me. As a CEO, I have fired a lot of people over the last few years and I never enjoy doing it even though I have to be direct about it. Am I a sociopath/Narcissist ? You be the judge.

relaunched 6y ago

anecdotally, founders tend to spend the entire beginning not listening to others and trusting themselves and their vision. As they gain steam, they are surrounded by true believers...and dissenters don't stick around for long. As you make more and more calls, the only thing that matters is success. Of the success continues, one falsely gains a sense of divine decision making ability, reinforced by all the naysayers that are wrong. Then, you just have all the hangers-on that want a piece and they'll say and do whatever you want. That's a dangerous sequence of events that can lead to narcissism and sociopathy. *No evidence, just observation"

danieltillett 6y ago

Why is it that a lot of people who ask leading questions on HN are such morons?

killtimeatwork 6y ago

Success in business often requires extreme dedication. For self-involved people, the grind is often worth it, because achieving success visibly puts them over other people. Whereas for less ego-driven people, being perceived as "exceptional" not that important and probably not worth the required sacrifices.

burntoutfire 6y ago

Being ruthless helps with business. Just look at the shit Jobs pulled off with people. Being ruthless is sociopath's natural mode of being, while normal people have scruples and restraints, which hampers growth.