Anne Slanders

Dear Anne,

I live in a neighborhood of very nice people. One neighbor, we will called her Jules, is very manipulative and is hell bent on causing strife and discord. Of course, she has a ragtime band of monkey trolls to help her flame the fires.

The neighborhood has basically written her off. Why is she like that?

Glenda from Phoenix, Arizona

Dear Glenda the Good Witch,

Certainly! Let's dive into the intriguing world of **Machiavellian personalities**. These cunning individuals are like the secret agents of everyday life, plotting and scheming their way through social interactions. 🕵️‍♂️

### What's Machiavellianism?

The word “Machiavellian” is used to describe anyone who’s scheming, unscrupulous, or cunning. 

### The Machiavellian Personality

So what exactly is a Machiavellian personality? These folks are manipulative and strategic. When they have a goal, they think through how to achieve it very skillfully — without any consideration for the feelings of other people involved. They might use manipulative behaviors or deception to get what they want. And guess what? They often come off as unemotional. 

They'll use social media, blogs, community functions to plant seeds of discord within a tightly knitted circle of ill-advised but easily persuaded unit of followers. A Machiavellian likes nothing better than to mold a band of nitwits.

Does this sound like your friend? Does this seem to be the type of individual you are dealing with? I bet it does.

Unlike narcissists who crave attention, Machiavellians prefer to be the puppet masters behind the scenes. They enjoy pulling the strings without coming off as the center of attention. They love to deflect. To them, it's like they're playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

### The Dark Triad

Machiavellianism is part of what psychologists call the **“dark triad”** of personality. This triad includes three personality disorders:

1. **Machiavellianism**
2. **Narcissism**
3. **Psychopathy**

All three share overlapping traits: a blatant disregard for others and an obsession with self. It's like they've got a backstage pass to life, peeking behind the curtains while everyone else is still waiting in line.

### Shallow Emotional Experience

People with a Machiavellian personality have a cold, calculating, and cynical view of others. They use people for their advantage without caring about the consequences. Their emotional attachments tend to be dysfunctional and often abusive.

And here's their secret sauce: they find it relatively easy to walk away from someone who no longer benefits them. It's like they've got an emotional eject button—poof! Gone. But don't feel bad for those left abandoned. A Machiavellian always loves a good apology! 

Have you seen that happen with this individual? 

So next time you encounter someone who seems to be orchestrating life like a grand symphony conductor, you might just be dealing with a Machiavellian mastermind. 

Just remember: relationships are transactions. Don't let them catch you counting pennies at the emotional checkout counter! 😉

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