Surviving the C-Suite Circus: Lessons from a World of Corporate Psychopaths

I recently picked up How to Behave Like a Human Being: A Guidebook for the Corporate Psychopath by Easton Blake.

The title alone tells you this isn’t going to be light reading—and it didn’t disappoint. Some of the behaviors he describes are unsettling, not because they’re shocking in theory, but because, sadly, they’re recognizable. And the audacity of some of these traits? Honestly, I had to laugh at a few chapters—not because it was funny, but because it’s hard to believe people actually think and operate this way in the workplace. (And yet, here we are.)

As an Administrative Professional, I’ve seen my fair share of leadership styles. I’ve worked with executives who inspire through vision, empathy, and collaboration. And then there are the others—the ones who somehow make misogyny, narcissism, and power games look like a job description. I wouldn’t say Blake’s book is the gospel truth of all leadership, but it does shine an uncomfortable light on patterns that some people clearly missed in Human Decency 101.

The Administrative Professional's Perspective

We strategic partners get a front-row seat to the full spectrum. We’re the gatekeepers, the buffers, and sometimes the quiet therapists. And while it’s a privilege to support strong, ethical leaders, it’s also a survival skill to navigate those who thrive on intimidation or manipulation.

Reading Blake’s book made me pause and reflect—not so much on “them,” because let’s face it, they’re probably not reading guidebooks on how to be better humans—but on how I can continue to show up with resilience, professionalism, and just enough sarcasm to keep myself sane.

Mindful (and Slightly Sarcastic) Takeaways

1. Awareness Is Armor
   Recognize the game. If someone thrives on control or gaslighting, don’t let their behavior rent space in your head. Just smile, nod, and file it under “Not My Circus, Not My Monkey.”

2. Boundaries Are Not Optional
   Professional doesn’t mean “available 24/7 for ego management.” Boundaries remind everyone—including yourself—that you’re a professional, not a punching bag.

3. Detach Without Losing Humanity
   The trick is to stay invested in your work without internalizing their drama. Compassion where you can, distance where you must. (Think of it as emotional noise-canceling.)

4. Never Forget Who You Are
   Because if you start mirroring their behavior? Congratulations, you’ve just joined the cast of Corporate Survivor: Toxic Island. Hard pass.

5. 5. Know When “Resilience” Becomes “Endurance”
   There’s a fine line between building resilience and simply enduring abuse. If every day feels like a masterclass in surviving toxicity, it may be time to ask yourself: Am I learning here, or just surviving here?

   6. Exit Strategies Are Professional, Not Personal
   Sometimes the most professional move you can make is knowing when to move on. Leaving a role where the culture chips away at your confidence isn’t quitting—it’s protecting your career longevity (and your sanity). After all, your LinkedIn headline should never read: “Executive Assistant to the Corporate Chaos Coordinator.”

For the leader assistant, this book can help you recognize the psychopaths in the C-suite. You can't stop someone from behaving badly, but you can decide how to respond, how to protect your energy, and how to keep your sense of humor intact.

Not every leader behaves this way—thank goodness. Many do not. But for the ones who do? Let’s just say, mindfulness, strategy, and the occasional deep sigh are the real job description for Executive Assistants.

And maybe that’s the point: you can’t control the circus, the clowns, or the chaos—but you can control how human, sharp, and sane you stay… if you choose to stick around.

#AdministrativeProfessionals #WorkplaceWisdom #CorporatePsychopaths #ProfessionalBoundaries #WorkplaceResilience #LeadershipLessons #StayHumanAtWork