ABSTRACT
Machiavellianism is named after the sixteenth-century politician and philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, who is known as one of the greatest theorists on the subject of power and most notably for his book, The Prince. This chapter focuses on the political and moral perspectives of leadership. Machiavelli explains that in the sixteenth century, in order for political leaders and nobility to be influential, powerful and successful, it was crucial to utilize any tactics necessary. From the dysfunctional leadership aspect, Machiavellian leadership is the third component of the Dark Triad. To understand Machiavellian leadership and how it applies to the twenty-first-century leader, it is important to understand just who Niccolò Machiavelli were, along with his insights into leadership. The Machiavellis owned properties in Santo Spirito, located near Santa Felicita and the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, where the family was well established, were notable members of society and served as leading civic figures.
