When and how do antagonistic Machiavellians achieve greater promotability

Abstract

Selfish, cunning, unscrupulous, and disregarding ethics—antagonistic Machiavellians who adhere to the principle of “the end justifies the means” are often avoided and disrespected by most people. Yet, they frequently achieve successful promotions in the workplace. However, the academic community still does not fully understand when and how individuals' antagonistic Machiavellianism can enhance their promotability. This research, based on trait activation theory, explores the mechanisms of Machiavellians' promotability. A multi-wave and multi-source survey was carried out, yielding 202 valid dyadic questionnaires to test the hypotheses. The findings indicate that when antagonistic Machiavellians perceive strong organizational politics, their innate drive for power and personal gain will be awakened. This compels them to quickly adapt, sharpening and strategically deploying their political skill to navigate the environment, ultimately enhancing their promotability. This study helps organizational managers understand and address this phenomenon correctly and provide concrete management recommendations for management practices.