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For many reasons, I’ve been fairly focused on why so many people act in underhanded ways, especially after recently observing some highly questionable procedures in a social/business environment where teamwork should have been the main event in the situation. My focus reminded me of Machiavelli’s theory where he observed that, under competitive conditions, humans pursue their main goals with increasing levels of ruthlessness along with manipulativeness, cynicism, selfishness, callousness and a great deal of arrogance. Sometimes, it’s a reminder to hide the knives and other sharp objects.

He believed that people are fundamentally selfish, fickle, ungrateful, and driven by self-interest, often at the expense of others. He argued that because humans are inherently unreliable, a ruler (or those thinking they are rulers) must be pragmatic and, if necessary, ruthless to maintain power and stability. He famously stated that “the ends justify the means,” suggesting that individuals often do not hesitate from using deceit, manipulation, or even cruelty to achieve their goals and protect what they think is their position, or that of someone else.

Let’s face it, Machiavelli maintained a cynical view of human nature in which people are fundamentally self-interested, fickle, and driven by fear, ambition, and the desire for power. He argued that most individuals are willing to lie, manipulate, and exploit others to achieve their personal goals and will quickly change allegiances if they perceive a potential improvement in their lot. Couldn’t agree more, Niccolo, but, what is the answer behind it all? How do people cope with those hell bent on always holding one hand behind their back, poised and ready to act in some underhanded fashion to achieve their goal?

The answer, I am guessing, is fairly simple as attempting to understand the behavior exhibited is for a complex mix of reasons, most of which center on self-interest, a desire for control and underlying personal insecurities. It’s a form of manipulation used to achieve personal goals especially when direct and a lot more honest methods are viewed as ineffective, unavailable, or not capable of producing the desired outcome.

In many competitive environments, individuals may use underhanded tactics to secure an advantage over others. Paradoxically, many who act in underhanded ways often suffer from deep-rooted insecurity or a lack of self-confidence. That’s where manipulation comes in as it helps to compensate for a given inadequacy; by making others feel inferior or, by gaining control, they boost their own sense of self-worth. Negative behavior such as this can stem from the fear of negative consequences, rejection, disapproval or conflict. It’s also a way to avoid taking responsibility for their own actions, especially where past incidents have taken place, making it more difficult to obtain something like a professional or social status where an advantage over others might be secured.

Thrown into many underhanded scenarios can be a manifestation of personality traits. The individuals involved may lack empathy and have few qualms about being argumentative, even combative, in order to achieve their particular objectives. Understanding any of the dynamics involved requires looking far beyond the behavior itself into the deeper, underlying motivations and psychological factors that drive the individual in question, always with an unseen hand holding some self-serving motivation.

From the Writer’s Workshop: Share something that made you think this week.