ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of Machiavellian personality, summarizes the types of unethical behaviors that highly Machiavellian people commit in the workplace, and explores how Machiavellian tactics might detract from well-being throughout the organization. The concept of Machiavellianism as a personality variable was first described by Christie and Geis, who used concepts from The Prince and a later work by Machiavelli, The Discourses on Levy, as a starting point for describing people with a Machiavellian disposition. Although the effects of Machiavellian behaviors on others are well-established; less research has considered how the well-being of Machiavellians is impacted by their own unethical behavior. Machiavellian employees exhibit a wide range of unethical workplace behaviors that threaten the well-being of the Machiavellian perpetrator, the intended target of the behaviors, and the broader work group and organization. Moreover, such practices communicate to employees that ethical behavior is encouraged and in their best interests, which contributes to organizational growth and development.
