You know, kind of like politicians.

"Psychopaths really aren't the kind of person you think they are," Babiak said. They're not all ruthless serial killers; most of them usually channel their unsympathetic energies in a nonviolent way—like taking pride in being in charge of you.

As cited in the Guardian, "the survey suggests psychopaths are actually poor managerial performers but are adept at climbing the corporate ladder because they can cover up their weaknesses by subtly charming superiors and subordinates. This makes it almost impossible to distinguish between a genuinely talented team leader and a psychopath, Babiak said."

This all makes me pretty confident all political leaders have some psychotic tendencies. Politicians with poor managerial skills? Check. Adept at climbing the corporate ladder? That's obvious, or else they wouldn't be elected to a powerful position. And there's a whole list of politicians who literally charmed the pants off people.

Our past leaders have been in a rut of blaming everyone but themselves for mistakes made. The administration can do no wrong;  they're just trying to help get out of the mess that's already been made (no matter that the economy has been on a continually downward spiral during their three years in office, or that they're most certainly responsible for a massively expensive health care reform law that most people don't want, anyway).

And on a personal note, the majority of politicians aren't any better. Sex scandals, drug scandals, money scandals—we've got 'em all. They're only sorry when they get caught and their power is threatened.

The worst thing imaginable to them is low approval ratings and a glim chance for reelection. Sounds a little psychotic, doesn't it?

At least it's all interesting watercooler conversation. But maybe save it for after work, in case researchers weren't positive about that whole serial killer thing.