Ted Bundy, born Theodore Cowell, is hardly the most prolific serial killer the USA has encountered. However, he may well be the most well-known. By the time he was caught, Bundy had murdered at least 30 people. However, when FBI agents suggested to Bundy that he had killed 36 people, Bundy replied “Add one digit to that and you’ll have it.”
It is estimated that there are no more than 50 “blood lust” psychopaths like Ted Bundy active in the US and Canada at any given time. However, that said, there are upwards of 20,000,000 “regular” sociopaths and psychopaths walking the streets of North America at this writing. While the so-called “regular” types are not out to kill you, they still share many characteristics similar to Bundy. To that point, they have no conscience and do not experience guilt. They are defensive (Bundy was quoted as saying “I do not know why people are out to get me”), manipulative, impulsive, often charming and well spoken. About 5% of people employed in corporations fall into the sociopathy or psychopathy category.
One of the phrases I hear frequently from employers in our psychology work is “there must be something good about a particular person.” Don’t you believe it. There are a significant number of people who have no redeeming characteristics of any kind. And skilled interviewing, combined with good psychological assessment work, can identify these seriously evil individuals – people who can do enormous damage to your company.
Perform better!
