The term psychopath is usually used when referring to serial killers or super-villains in Hollywood blockbusters. However, it's claimed that many successful business leaders, lawyers, bankers and even politicians (are you really surprised?) share certain psychopathic characteristics.

"The Good Psychopath's Guide to Success" is written by Andy McNab, who was the most highly decorated serving British soldier when he left the SAS; and Professor Kevin Dutton, a research psychologist at the University of Oxford and fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Psychopathy.

Dutton has spent a lifetime studying psychopaths and first met McNab during a research project. What he found surprised him. McNab was diagnosed as a psychopath, but thankfully he is classified as a "good psychopath"; this means he is able to control key qualities to get the very best out of himself and others in a wide range of situations. Together they explored how a good psychopath thinks differently and how one could develop key qualities such as charm, coolness under pressure, self-confidence and courage to achieve the best in our personal and professional life.

Their aim was to challenge the myth that all psychopaths are bad with Dutton claiming that "I'd done research with the special forces, surgeons, top hedge fund managers and barristers. Almost all of them had psychopathic traits, but they'd harnessed them in ways to make them better at what they do."

This research identified key steps to exploit the "The Good Psychopath's Guide to Success" including:

1. Focus: psychopaths can block out distractions, making them the best operators in high-pressure environments.

2. Fearlessness: to avoid being crippled by the fear of failure.

3. Empathy: knowing how to use it and lose it in an appropriate and productive fashion.

4. Ruthlessness: learning how to move on from a bad situation.

5. Self-confidence: psychopaths don't mind being different. The most important thing is to balance this against acceptable norms.

Our challenge is therefore learning the distinction between "good" and "bad" psychopaths and master these traits for Bahamian business success; otherwise a Caribbean prison cell potentially awaits.

o "The Good Psychopath's Guide to Success" by Andy McNab and Kevin Dutton and published by Bantam Press.

Keith Appleton JP, BA (Hons), N.Dip.M, MInstLM has extensive experience within academic, managerial and strategic leadership roles. He is a member of the UK Institute of Leadership & Management and can be contacted at keithappleton@hotmail.co.uk.

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