A lack of contagious yawning can be a subtle sign of psychopathic traits. This reflects a diminished capacity for "automatic empathy," or catching others' emotions, even though their cognitive understanding of emotions may be intact.
People with dark personality traits often self-report them honestly on questionnaires. They don't see being callous, manipulative, or superior as negative characteristics, so they feel no shame or remorse in admitting to them.
A key nonverbal cue for psychopathy is an inappropriate combination of verbal and nonverbal emotional displays. For example, using angry, hostile words while making a big, broad smile can be a red flag that people subconsciously detect.
While psychopathic and narcissistic traits help politicians attract followers and media attention, these same traits make them less influential in Congress. Colleagues find them difficult to collaborate with, hindering their ability to get bills passed.
To manage people with dark traits, establish tiny points of common ground, like a shared birthday or favorite sports team. This creates a sense of an "in-group," tapping into their need for loyalty and making them less likely to react negatively to feedback.
Individuals with dark traits enjoy pushing boundaries, especially unspoken social rules. To manage them effectively, you must make your boundaries explicit and state the consequences of crossing them (e.g., "If you bring that up again, I'll end this conversation").
Highly empathetic, guilt-prone individuals often avoid top leadership roles due to the immense pressure and responsibility. Redesigning these positions to be shared (e.g., co-CEOs) diffuses this burden, making leadership more attractive to those who care most about others.