Manipulative, distrustful, self-serving: How to deal with a Machiavellian boss

You're a hard, efficient worker, but your manager closely monitors you, demanding you constantly account for your time and questioning your actions, as if you can't be trusted.

You find out your is overclaiming on expenses. When you bring this to their attention, they ask you not tell anyone until they work it out. They then mention they're considering recommending you for a promotion.

These are signs of Machiavellianism, the dark named after the 16th century Italian political theorist who wrote the first "how to" guide for rulers.

A Machiavellian personality is self-serving, opportunistic and ambitious—traits that can help them attain positions of power and status.

Estimates of the prevalence of Machiavellianism are imprecise, but experts have good reason to believe it is at least as common in the workplace as psychopathy, which affects about 1% of the population but an estimated 3.5% of executives.

A statue of Niccolo Machiavelli at the Uffizi art gallery in Florence. Credit: Shutterstock