Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Machiavellian CEOs Drive Soaring Salaries, Study Reveals

6/19/2025

23 1

Summary

Story summary

A University of Florida study reveals a striking connection between Machiavellian traits in CEOs and their soaring salaries. By analyzing S&P 500 executives with clinical psychologists, researchers uncovered that these cunning personalities not only boost their own pay but also influence the compensation of their top management teams, shedding light on how personality shapes corporate leadership dynamics.

1 of 1

Story summary

A University of Florida study reveals a striking connection between Machiavellian traits in CEOs and their soaring salaries. By analyzing S&P 500 executives with clinical psychologists, researchers uncovered that these cunning personalities not only boost their own pay but also influence the compensation of their top management teams, shedding light on how personality shapes corporate leadership dynamics.