Snakes Suits
When Psychopaths Go To Work
Book Review

by
Antoinette Foster-Shaw
EDD 9100
Leadership

Nova Southeastern University
April 19, 2011

1

Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go To Work (2007) is a compelling and realistic book

that openly discusses corporate psychopaths. This book also helps the reader go beyond the

stereotypes placed on psychopaths. The authors are two psychologist; Dr. Robert Babiak and

and Dr. Robert Hare who both have performed extensive research in psychopathy. These authors

have displayed how psychopaths slither not only their way into people’s personal lives but also

the workforce with devious methods and strategies. The main tool of a psychopath is disarming

charisma with the lack of empathy, remorse, and shame. Their mind is constantly searching for

angles to start the games of deceit. They also represent confidence, strength, calmness, and

always seem right for the job offered. Assessment, manipulation, abandonment, and ascension

are the phases of psychopathic behavior which are concisely explained in very simple terms for

easy understanding. The phases enable the reader to clearly understand each phase that is

relevant in a psychopath’s process towards their main goals of accomplishment. The authors

have clearly demonstrated how the strategies of manipulation and deceit start in the very

beginning stages with the hiring process. Dr. Babiak and Dr. Hare have explicitly shown

countless examples of case studies with information which ascertain the true differences of

criminally insane individuals and psychopaths. These psychopaths climb up the corporate ladder

utilizing disingenuous skills while abusing people on their way up until they have accomplished

what they want and need. Psychopaths choose their victims early in the game by controlling, and

abandoning them when there is no longer a need for these individuals. Many case studies and

examples exhibit how psychopaths work from day to day with charisma as parasites and

predators. Until the psychopath decides the time has come to leave they usually have gotten the

corporation or department in a state of confusing circumstances. When the psychopath feels the 2

time is right to leave they never look back to see how their conniving actions have

impacted innocent people or the company. The psychopath can do tremendous damage and

failure to label them could ruin lives or the company. Leaders must watch for the red flags,

take a stand, and respond with greater wisdom to protect the corporation and employees from

the manipulation, deceit, and abuse. Each chapter begins with a case study from the authors own personal experience, and

supporting evidence. Chapter 1; Nice Suit, Would a Snake Wear Such a Nice Suit? Gives a brief

introduction plus an actual example of a psychopath within a corporation and the destruction that

was caused. It ends with the employees celebrating with a deep sense of relief that the

psychopath has left the company. Chapter 2; Who Are These People? Describes in concise

detail a psychopath, the traits and domains that exist. These domains and traits include:

interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, and antisocial. Chapter 3; What You See May Not Be What

You see is an excellent chapter that explains the phases and characteristics of a psychopath.

These phases comprise of: assessment. manipulation, abandonment, and ascension. Chapter 4;

Psychopathic Manipulation: How Did He Do That? Explains the bonds and relationships

that occurs doing the psychopath’s game playing. The internal, personal, and attributed

personalities are explained in terms of how the psychopath capitalizes on these personalities.

This chapter also discloses how the psychopath relies on manipulation. Chapter 5; Enter the

Psychopath describes the psychopath in the corporate arena and the roles in the psychopath’s

drama. Chapter 6; Pawns, Patrons, and Patsies: Roles in the Psychopath’s Drama conveys

how the psychopaths analyze position, expert, informal, knowledge, and resource power within

the corporation. It also discusses the pawns, patrons, and patsies support roles for the 3

psychopath. Chapter 7; Darkness and Chaos: The Psychopath’s Friends describes the rapid

changing leadership roles and transitioning companies and how the psychopath fits in this

environment. Chapter 8; I’m Not a Psychopath, I Just Talk and Act Like One explicates the

importance of not confusing a few psychopathic like characteristics as the actual disorder itself.

Chapter 9; Enemy at the Gates illustrates how companies hinder the hiring

and promotion of psychopaths with putting actual processes in place. Chapter 10; Hot Buttons

and Weak Spots Personal Self Defense explains how to identify aspects of your own personality

and life situation that contributes to becoming an easy target for the psychopath. Chapter 11; The

Fifth Column Psychopaths in our Midst details how to avoid a psychopath attacking your loyalty

and competence. This chapter also suggests how to put techniques and strategies in place when

dealing with a psychopathic coworker, boss, or subordinate. Each chapter is explicit, interesting,

and well written with detailed information that is very beneficial to all. The authors do an

excellent job in providing the supporting evidence from the research, newspaper articles, judges,

and criminal justice researchers. The writer highly recommends this book and feels all individuals that work in a corporate

setting should read Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths go to Work (2007). The authors don’t

offer a band aid approach but give realistic solutions to each scenario conveyed. Any level of

business is at risk of the manipulative, charismatic, skilled communicator, and the apathetic

psychopath. This book can assist in curtailing many insidious situations portrayed or created by

psychopaths. Red flags are seen early and if handled properly will keep away distraction and

unnecessary mayhem within a company. Not only will the book benefit individuals within a

4

corporation but anyone that deals with people on a daily basis in their personal life. It will help to

precisely detect what the metaphoric title represents: Look deeper than the suit or the way one

dresses if you want to uncover a snake. The writer is retired from AT&T with 27 years of experience in the corporate setting. As the

writer looks back and analyzes the past years; during those years psychopathy wasn’t prevalent

or understood. Nothing was discussed in the open regarding this disorder. Many employees were

unaware of the viciousness and manipulation of psychopaths.

The writer was in the midst of numerous ones. These psychopaths were leaders and non

management employees who utilized their manipulation and deceit to higher levels. The typical

subtle signs of confusing details, disorganization, disinformation, manipulation, employees being

pitted against one another, individuals losing their jobs and being replaced at the drop of a hat by

the psychopaths were always discerned. One would never guess that these ploys were

achieved by clever psychopaths. The writer watched from a distance as the patrons, pawns, and

patsies were manipulated and used excessive times. Fortunately the writer was never taken into

the midst of the games and upheaval of a psychopath, but could see the games executed while

using these players to gain a power base and support system. The writer has gained a tremendous amount of information regarding how psychopaths are

successful with manipulation and getting whatever their needs and wants are through destruction

and devious ways. Not only are they successful in corporate environments but also in any

situation they encounter. These psychopaths prey on unsuspecting individuals who get caught

right in the middle of their calculating plans and are abandoned once they have their game pieces 5

in place. If one isn’t aware of these calculating moves and behavior you are easily spun into

their web. Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths go to Work (2007) has demonstrated to the writer

how to look for signs, and become aware of the beginning games the psychopath present. This

book has also taught the writer how to handle and avoid situations with psychopaths in the job

setting and personal life at the very first warning signs. The writer was amazed and enlightened with the information that was disclosed in the book,

Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths go to Work (2007). This gave the writer a new perspective

on psychopathy and a renewed sense of curiosity on this subject. The writer researched the

subject further and gained a clearer understanding. There is only room for the writer to agree

because all of the information gathered is fairly new to the writer. The writer has no previous

information to compare it to or voice a professional opinion. During the simulation in the Community Services Sector and City Council there were no

connections with the book Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths go to Work (2007). The

experience in the sector meetings fostered collaboration and a sense of openness without any

aspect of manipulation or ulterior motives. Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths go to Work

(2007) displayed the dark side and visciouness of psychopaths that continually keep confusion

going in the workplace while they fit in as chameleons where ever they appear. These signs

never appeared in the Community Services Sector or City Council meetings during the times the

writer attended and participated. The concept of this class enveloped the required readings which expressed the importance of

achieving strategic leadership. This class examines different leadership styles, the role of

communication in effective leadership and fostering collaboration, effective communication, 6

critical thinking, problem solving skills and the development of better communication skills.

The many concepts and required readings are posed to develop one into a better leader with the

necessary skills. Snakes in Suits: When Psychopath Go To Work (2007) is dissimilar with this

information in the majority of the book. It clearly only delves into the concept of

psychopathy. In the chapter 7 the reading become similar becomes similar to many of the

required readings. This chapter explains the history of earlier leadership strategies, culture of

change, the effect of technological change, transitioning organizations, and strong leadership.

goes into the history of early leadership strategies, culture of change, the effect of technological

change and transitioning organizations, and strong leadership. With this chapter it clarifies the

how the psychopath fits into the fast pace ever changing corporate scene with skilled leadership

attributes.

7

References

Bakiak, P. & Hare, R.D. (2007). Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths go to Work. (1st ed.). New York, NY: HarperCollins Inc.