
More than 60% of global marketers optimistic about business in 2024
While marketers in many countries are worried about a recession, there is also optimism regarding the business climate and marketing budgets.
SALES MANAGEMENT
By our News Team | 2022
Researchers say managers should be trained to be mindful of the performance patterns that may signal a salesperson’s ‘dark’ personality.
Academic researchers have published a new paper in the peer-reviewed Journal of Marketing that examines the effect among salespeople of three negative personality traits – Machiavellianism (amoral behaviour), narcissism (self-admiration) and psychopathy (egocentric and antisocial personality).
The study was carried out by researchers from four US universities: University of New Hampshire, University of Kentucky, Texas A&M University, and Florida State University.
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator via Pexels
Ads for sales jobs usually emphasise a preference for positive personality traits such as self-motivation, ability to be a team player, ethical behaviour and enthusiasm. Academic research has also traditionally focused on positive performance drivers such as adaptiveness, conscientiousness, openness and extraversion (gratification obtained from outside the self).
“While hiring people with these traits is desirable, it ignores the importance among salespeople of [the] three negative traits of Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy – collectively known as the dark triad (DT),” says Alexis Allen, one of the paper’s co-authors.
Except for CEOs, lawyers and celebrities, salespeople score higher on these dark traits than all other professions, which has led to sales professionals often being characterised as conniving.
That these dark personalities are often employed by sales organisations suggests that some salespeople are able to mask the dysfunctional manifestations of DT traits – such as callous self-interest – with more functional ones such as charisma, during the recruitment process.
According to the research, DT traits can offer significant advantages for some salespeople to get ahead. But there are downsides in the long run, too. Over time, the self-interested, antagonistic behaviours associated with DT traits are likely to undermine their relationships with colleagues, diminish their social capital and subsequently reduce their performance in the sales environment.
Why dark salespeople may persevere and thrive
The researchers conducted two studies to explore how and why dark salespeople persevere, and even thrive, in organisations. They investigated: (1.) how dark salespeople perform over time relative to their low-DT peers and (2.) how ambient social structures, such as organisational social networks into which salespeople are embedded, influence these salespeople’s performance.
The first study provides empirical evidence that narcissism and psychopathy allow dark salespeople to succeed in the short term, but eventually lead to a ‘fall from grace’, including diminished sales performance. In contrast, results show that Machiavellianism produces little in the short term, but manifests in long-term performance benefits.
The second study measures the reach efficiency of the dark personality’s social network. When a person’s network exhibits high-reach efficiency, information about their actions becomes socially visible to others (i.e., friends of friends) who are indirectly connected to the dark personality.
Low-reach efficiency, however, impedes the spread of information and delays the social visibility of individual actions.
Co-author Cinthia B. Satornino explains that: “If the network structure obscures information regarding the misdeeds of a dark salesperson, it enhances the probability for performance-enhancing cooperation between the dark personality and his or her unsuspecting peers.”
Results show that narcissism and psychopathy influence performance similarly, while Machiavellianism has the inverse effect. When reach efficiency is high, narcissism and psychopathy lead to decreased sales performance in subsequent periods.
On the other hand, those with Machiavellianism benefit from high-reach efficiency, which results in enhanced sales performance in subsequent periods.
The research team therefore offers three key recommendations for chief sales officers:
Find out more about the research paper here.
While marketers in many countries are worried about a recession, there is also optimism regarding the business climate and marketing budgets.
US industry body warns marketers to be vigilant as programmatic media is ‘complex’ and ‘can be non-transparent’.
Dentsu says big events like the Euro 2024 soccer finals and US presidential election will help to push up spending.
Look for transparency, check results of previous projects, and request an air-tight scope of partnership, advises industry expert.
AMC’s range of Short Courses is designed to complement the study and career-growth initiatives offered by our member countries.
More people also took advantage of deals to buy everyday items, rather than spending on big-ticket luxury goods.
Bath and body well-being brand creates a 3m-high candle and lights it in a busy Christmas shopping precinct to encourage people to ‘reset’.
Data from 2008 recession indicates that, in another recession, the amount spent on higher-priced Fair Trade goods may actually increase.
Interbrand study says lack of growth mindset, weaker brand leadership and poor forecasting are among the key reasons.
Tlali Taoana has experience in strategy, marketing and executive roles, and will expand the capabilities of the business.
AMC President flies the flag at the World Marketing Forum in Thailand, then welcomes Tunisia as the confederation’s 11th member.
Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.
Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.
Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.