One in Five CEOs Are Psychopaths—Corporate America’s Prison Population in Suits 🕴️

A groundbreaking study by forensic psychologist Nathan Brooks of Bond University surveyed 261 senior U.S. professionals—mainly in supply chain management—and found that roughly 21% exhibited clinically significant psychopathic traits, a proportion comparable to that of prisoners. That’s one out of every five CEOs or corporate leaders potentially driven by charm, insincerity, and dominance rather than empathy—raising serious red flags about corporate culture and the ethics of leadership .

Psychopaths in the C-suite aren’t just a quirky statistic—they shape entire organizations. These individuals are often skilled at presenting charm and bold decision-making, allowing them to climb quickly through corporate ranks while masking ruthless ambitions. But their presence correlates with toxic work environments marked by increased conflict, distrust, turnover, and reduced long-term performance and shareholder value . It’s a sobering reminder that those who succeed fastest in business may be the least humane—and the most dangerous.