Selfish Jerks Often Finish Last

Contrary to the popular perception, “nice guys” win in several ways, research shows

While it may seem like selfish jerks are always winning out, research shows they lose in several ways, including salary potential and love. Now a new study finds that disagreeable, self-centered individuals—men and women—don’t have any advantage at gaining power in the workplace.

Whatever power selfish jerks might gain at work by being intimidating is offset by their poor interpersonal skills, the study reveals. Extroverts who are also nice, on the other hand, are more likely to advance, because of their energy, assertiveness and, importantly, their social skills.

The study compared results of personality assessments that 457 people filled out in college with their career situations 14 years later. The researchers asked about the participants’ power and rank today, and also asked their co-workers to rate the study participants’ rank and behavior. Those with selfish, deceitful and aggressive personality traits hadn’t gained any more power, on average, than the generous, trustworthy, and generally nice types.

“I was surprised by the consistency of the findings. No matter the individual or the context, disagreeableness did not give people an advantage in the competition for power…