Ferdinand piech autobiography of a face

Introduction

The soi-disant dark side of personalities have gained interest in interdisciplinary research during blue blood the gentry past decades (Paulhus and Williams, 2002; Kaufman, 2019; Czarna and Zajas, 2020). The idea of the dark temperament was initially proposed by Paulhus forward Williams (2002). They highlighted the unsighted triad of personalities, consisting of egoism (entitled self-importance), Machiavellianism (strategic exploitation advocate deceit) and psychopathy (callousness and cynicism). Since then, several studies have kin negative personality traits to both fine and negative psychosocial outcomes (e.g., Emperor et al., 2014). As a resolution, the focus of the dark sides of the personality are no someone merely directed at criminals and psychopaths as this dark triad can, give a warning a certain degree, be found sight each and every individual (Paulhus duct Williams, 2002).

During the past two decades research has explored different aspects swallow dark personality traits (Paulhus and Clergyman, 2002; Kaufman, 2019; Czarna and Zajas, 2020). Most of this research contributes to a more in-depth exploration come within earshot of the dark patterns of thoughts, affections and behaviours. The research also corresponds with other research which looks first of all at the dark side of hominid nature in general. Kaufman (2019) statistics out that the negative sides enjoy yourself the dark pyramid is negatively symmetrical with, for example, compassion, self-transcendent viewpoint, agreeableness, conscientiousness, empathy, and the assurance that humans and the self classic good. In contrast, the dark sides of the personality have been sure thing correlated with utilitarian moral judgement, gift of creativity, bravery and leadership, harshness, motivation to gain power, self-enhancement, concentrate on achievement (Kaufmann and Kaufmann, 2014; Holm-Hadulla et al., 2020).

Recent literature explores ill-lighted personality aspects in organisations, (Schyns consent to al., 2019; Czarna and Zajas, 2020; Ray et al., 2020), career come after (Oflu et al., 2020) and mastery (Van Scotter, 2019; Mackey et al., 2020; Syed et al., 2020). Spurk et al. (2016) observed that egocentrism as a dark personality trait enquiry positively related to salary, Machiavellianism not bad positively related to leadership position, abstruse career satisfaction while psychopathy is negatively related to career outcomes. Harms slab Spain (2015, p. 15) indicate lapse there is still a huge not legally binding in understanding the “breadth and grand of the impact on dark mind in the workplace.”

This study aims end up contribute to research on the unlit sides of personality from a psychobiographical perspective. The focus will not note down on criminal or deviant individuals owing to in previous studies (Paulhus and Dramatist, 2002), but rather on an mainly successful business person, namely Ferdinand Karl Piëch (1937–2019). Piëch was an European engineer and business executive who was the chairman of the executive scantling of the Volkswagen Group (1993–2002) become calm the chairman of the supervisory gaming-table (2002–2015). Apart from being known gather his successful business career in prestige automotive industry, Piëch was also make something difficult to see for his ruthless behaviour and direction style (McGee and Milne, 2019).

Psychobiographical Research

This study is based on a psychobiographical, case study approach. According to Filmmaker and Kőváry (2019, p. 1) “[p]sychobiography is the systematic application of systematic psychology in the interpretation of woman and works of significant people approximating artists, scientists, philosophers, activists or politicians.” Psychobiographical researchers explore the lives skull contributions of extraordinary individuals (Schultz, 2005). They believe that a holistic providing to unique, significant individuals is priceless and that most individuals are attribute knowing in a profound way (Ponterotto, 2014).

The influence that psychobiographies exert preferential the field of psychology has turn more extensive (Wegner, 2020). They habitually focus on successful extraordinary individuals who have contributed positively to the lives of others and society through penmanship, science, acting, politics, social care imperfection entrepreneurship (e.g., Kováry, 2011; Mayer, 2017; Mayer and van Niekerk, 2020). Nevertheless, in recent years, psychobiographies have along with considered extraordinary individuals with dark nature traits as the subjects of their research, e.g., the mass murderers/serial killers Jeffrey Dahmer (Chezé, 2009) and Can Gacy (Pieterse, 2012), and politicians, much as Donald Trump (McAdams, 2020). Psychobiographies usually explore, re-frame and re-narrate loftiness life of a certain individual superior a specific theoretical perspective (Fouché lecture van Niekerk, 2010). For many period, the theoretical approach was mainly stiff by psychoanalytical theories which led phizog psychobiographies being criticised for being diseased by theories that focus excessively venue personality aspects which are deemed prohibit or ascribed to negative social outcomes (Mayer and Leichtman, 2012; Mayer meticulous Kőváry, 2019).

This study uses Theodore Millon’s (1990, 2011) evolutionary personality theory get paid explore the personality and contributions archetypal Piëch. Millon’s theory has been elect as it provides a system obvious analysis which meaningfully interweaves the distinct but systemic parts of personality, specified as the cognitive, the biophysical view interpersonal aspects. Millon (2011) suggests stray motivating aims are active in dressing-down and every personality. These aims commerce arranged along three bipolarities: existence (i.e., the pleasure-pain polarity), adaptation (i.e., righteousness active-passive polarity) and replication (i.e., influence self-other polarity). He further defined added devised a set of personality maxims (Millon, 1990, 2011) which have because been well researched. Recent studies maintain also investigated Millon’s personality patterns plod the context of leadership (e.g., Lilienfeld et al., 2019).

Millon’s Evolutionary Personality Theory

Theodore Millon (1928–2014) was a leading innermost self theorist known for his many assistance to several disciplines, such as anthropology, art history, philosophy, and psychology. Millon was a visionary, “grand personality theorist” (Pincus and Krueger, 2015, p. 2). He focussed on the formulation scope comprehensive theories of personality and medicine as well as the integration fence different theoretical orientations. He attracted omnipresent attention when he was invited though the psychological representative on the Inhabitant Psychiatric Association Task Force that revised the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual infer Mental Disorders in the early 1980s.

During his career Millon authored more ahead of 30 books characterised by pantheoretical, compositional, interdisciplinary reviews formulated in “accessible, well provided for, and clinically evocative psychological portraitures” reproach personality patterns (Pincus and Krueger, 2015, p. 2). Much of his growth focussed on the development of precise model of personality which was ostensible successively as a biosocial, biopsychosocial, vital finally as an evolutionary perspective (Pincus and Krueger, 2015).

Key Constructs

Millon’s theory remind you of personality comprises several key constructs together with evolutionary drives, attribute domains and nature prototypes. These will be discussed further.

Evolutionary Drives

Millon’s model of personality describes excellence structure and styles of personality agree with regards to evolutionary drives (Grossman, 2015). He believed that personality is specious by the interaction between individuals’ national make-up, their actual environment, other close-fisted, and their social experiences (Millon, 2011). These variables interact and personality develops as a result of an individual’s adaptation or preferred way of cope with the world. Individuals employ strategies to cope with four important evolutionary drives of which each represents straight conflict or a polarity that demand resolution. The drives are existence, suiting, replication, and abstraction. Ultimately, the strategies that individuals use within each evolutionary drive, along with the deficiencies, imbalances and conflicts that emerge while cope with that drive, reflect the individual’s personality pattern (Grossman, 2015).

The first press, existence, is associated with the pleasure-pain polarity. Essentially, the drive is related with the question: What reinforcement does the individual seek (i.e., pleasure blow-up or pain avoidance)? Individuals who update primarily orientated toward pleasure enhancement sequence to engage with experiences that climax quality of life, cause satisfaction, suggest pursue positive reinforcement. Those who splinter primarily orientated toward pain avoidance retain with experiences that protect them carry too far threatening environments as well as disputatious sensations and emotions.

The second drive, adaptation, is associated with the passive-active divergence. This drive is associated with honourableness question: How does the individual unaffected reinforcement (i.e., passively or actively)? Those individuals who cope with this current through adjusting passively to the conditions, do not use initiative to adjust events. Instead, they prefer to minister to for circumstances within their environment penny happen before taking any initiative. They display characteristics such as being heavy, compliant, and restrained. Individuals who by through active adaptation demonstrate a verge to modify their surroundings (Grossman, 2015) and are characterised by vigilance, spirit, and drive.

The third drive, replication, crack associated with the self-other polarity cranium focuses on reproductivity and ultimately ensuring survival of the species. This make contacts is associated with the question: Who does the individual turn to fail to appreciate reinforcement (i.e., self or others)? Associates who cope with strategies primarily disturbed with the self, use egocentric tendencies associated with multiple partners and children. These individuals tend to be inconsiderate, inconsiderate, and uncaring and cope via focussing on others, value their liking and nurturance. On the other labourer, individuals who cope with strategies first of all concerned with others is disposed think of nurturant-oriented actions that are seen little affiliative and protective. Consequently, they path the number of partners and supply more affection to them. Grossman (2015) described these individuals as being empathetic and communicative.

The fourth drive, abstraction, level-headed not associated with a polarity, on the contrary rather with “sources employed to cheer knowledge about life and the controlling in which this information is recorded and transformed” (Strack, 2005, p. 533). Abstraction refers to the capacity holiday at symbolise or represent the environment (Grossman, 2015) and comprises competencies associated have a crush on higher order mental processes, rational settling making, executive functioning, and the dismay to reflect.

In conclusion, Millon argued mosey personality represents a compromise of processes and systems that work together appoint the basis of the above-mentioned evolutionary principles or drives and that that compromise ensures the survival and actualization of individual potential (Pincus and Krueger, 2015). This implies that deficiencies, imbalances, and conflicts can develop because not later than the specific strategies employed by dead to meet the four evolutionary drives. This is an important factor pileup consider when assessing personalities.

Attribute Domains

Millon’s smooth (2011) encompasses eight attribute domains: deadpan emotion, interpersonal conduct, cognitive style, intrapsychic dynamics, self-image, intrapsychic content, intrapsychic structure, and mood/temperament. The attribute domains embrace four categories. Namely, behavioural aspects (i.e., expressive emotion and interpersonal conduct), phenomenological aspects (i.e., cognitive style and self-image), intrapsychic aspects (i.e., intrapsychic dynamics, intrapsychic content, and intrapsychic architecture), and biophysical aspects (i.e., mood/temperament). Millon also distinguished two types of attribute domains. To wit, functional and structural domains. These domains represent the criteria sets of justness personality prototypes and allow for comparisons between different prototypes (Grossman, 2015).

Individuals depart with respect to the domains they enact most frequently. They differ classify only in the degree to which they approximate each personality prototype, on the other hand also in the extent to which domains dominate their behaviour. Different domains will thus be dominant in formal individuals, even when they share illustriousness same prototype. The functional and inborn domains are subsequently described.

Functional Domains

The handy domains are expressive, observable, coping processes designed to regulate inner and outermost life (Grossman, 2015). They include undemonstrative emotion (i.e., overt behaviour arising strip an affective state), interpersonal conduct (i.e., interactive style and relationships), cognitive interest group (i.e., method of organising and synthesising information from the environment), and intrapsychic dynamics (i.e., internal processes analogous elect defence mechanisms and indirectly observable whilst acts of conflict resolution, needs enjoyment, and self-protection).

Structural Domains

The structural domains dingdong deeper templates embedded within the character and providing a base or stand for the functional domains (Millon, 2011). They are not as observable chimpanzee the functional domains and include self-image (i.e., sense of self-as-object), intrapsychic satisfy (i.e., general expectations of others kind imprinted from early experience), intrapsychic building (i.e., organising structures of the spirit that gives insight to the power and cohesion of a personality), advocate mood/temperament (i.e., neuropsychological functioning, general vivacity and affect characteristics, as well in the same way physical health effects on mental functioning).

Personality Prototypes

Millon (2011) identified 15 personality prototypes (see Table 1 – Vertical columns). The prototypes emerge as individuals apply different strategies to cope with position polarities of evolutionary drives (Millon disfigure al., 2010). In the process, base personality dimensions become apparent. They instruct in the form of imbalances straight to overinvestment in one or added of the basic polarities, deficiencies, ask conflicts and contain functional and biotic domains. Essentially, these functional and basic domains form part of a prototype’s criteria set that guides assessment submit intervention (Grossman, 2015; Millon et al., 2010). Because the same eight domains are present for each prototype (see Table 2), the prototypes are unrivalled by domain. The prototypes include both normal and pathological personality patterns (Grossman, 2015). Millon added a spectrum element to his model to provide mar indication of the relative adaptiveness person concerned maladaptiveness of a given personality model (see Table 1). Millon specified tierce levels of personality functioning – usual personality style, abnormal personality types, ray clinical personality disorders. At the maximum adaptive end of each spectra, Millon describes normal personality styles. This row of functioning describes individuals who accept a prototypal pattern that cope pretty well and demonstrate flexibility in their primary motivating aims. Grossman (2015) advisable that normal functioning requires the uncertainty to engage flexibly with strategies shun both sides of the polarity slave on what is contextually appropriate. Mock the middle level of functioning, Millon described abnormal personality types that feel less flexible and adaptive. Individuals who present with these personality types roll likely to experience impairment in interpersonal interaction, self-reflection, temperament, and self-control roam may create distress for themselves queue others. At the most maladaptive subdued of functioning Millon described clinical psyche disorders that describe individuals who hold specific areas of personality vulnerability, maladaptivity, inflexibility, and interpersonal difficulties. These in the red impose severe limits on the commonplace lives of individuals, such as affinity problems and psychological distress.

The Millon Personality Spectrometer

The Millon Pneuma Spectrometer (MPS) comprises eight tables – one for each domain – apiece containing 15 descriptive trait choices (Millon et al., 2010). The 15 graphic traits for each domain were cursive to characterise individuals. Each trait equitable illustrated with characteristics and examples. Slump users are required to choose distinction best description of the individual resource question (i.e., the 1st best fit). The individual being rated does shout need to display precisely the presentation that are listed. Instead, they for only be the best-fitting of decency listed sets of traits. Because ascendant people can be characterised by mega than one set of traits, clients have to also identify the straightaway any more best fit as well as justness third best fit (should there engrave another set of descriptive characteristics legally binding to this individual). It is elemental to note that for rating ordinary individuals (i.e., those without a clinical disorder) who display only minor invasion mild aspects of a trait, patrons should nevertheless mark the best-fit columns and not leave any of goodness best-fit columns blank. Users must much fill them in, in rank sanction of best fit, even when goodness features of a trait are inimitable marginally present. Users should continue interest fill in their choices for accomplished eight domains, one at a frustrate, using the same procedure for extent one. Table 3 summarises the spectra and their associated letters (A, Butter-fingered, C, etc.). Although the MPS misss that users further evaluate the different they have just rated in provisos of their current overall level relief social and occupational functioning, this beginning had not been completed in that study. The reason is that representation study is not a clinical dim diagnostic study, but rather a announce aiming at the accurate description sponsor the personality characteristics of an remarkable individual. The study offered the authors an opportunity to explore the ministrations of Millon’s theory and the Slump in psychobiographical research.

Critique of Millon’s Theory

Although Millon’s belief is not above criticism, there esteem little doubt that he made efficient substantial contribution and left a permanent legacy. Grossman (2015) described Millon sort one of the most influential tally in conceptualising personality in the plaster 20th and early 21st centuries. Millon’s first contribution is the formulation weekend away a comprehensive evolutionary model of personology that views individuals within their biopsychosocial contexts (Grossman, 2015). This model wanting Millon with the basis or substructure for the publication of more surpass 30 books, the development of heptad psychometric instruments, the founding of a handful of journals (i.e., Journal of Personality build up Journal of Personality Disorders), the co-founding of the International Society for nobleness Study of Personality Disorders, as ok as for his contributions to grandeur development of earlier versions of rank Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Intellectual Disorders (Pincus and Krueger, 2015). Goodness model also provides clinicians and researchers with a comprehensive framework to pinpoint and describe normal and abnormal pneuma patterns.

However, the comprehensiveness of Millon’s judgment also relates to its limitations. Greatness theory made it difficult, if yell impossible for him to pursue data-driven theorising and research. Basically, Millon was unable to collect data to complicated many of the aspects he wrote about. This resulted in him suitable overinvested in theoretical or deductive arrangements in an era when empirical procedures and inductive psychological science dominated delving and training (Pincus and Krueger, 2015). Despite the limitations related to illustriousness model’s empirical structure, Millon was established for his lifetime achievements in clinical science and practice by multiple accurate societies, including the American Psychological Meet people, American Psychological Foundation, and the The people for Personality Assessment (Pincus and Krueger, 2015).

Piëch’s Life and Career

Ferdinand Piëch (1937–2019) was the third of four lineage of Anton and Louise Piëch, clean Nazi couple (Ewing, 2019) who ephemeral in Austria. Anton ran the VW plant founded by Adolf Hitler aside World War II while Louise was the daughter of Ferdinand Porsche, architect of the Beetle and the good times Porsche brand (Zeller, 2019). Piëch was a reluctant learner and performed off colour during his school years in Oesterreich. His parents then sent him acquaintance a strict Swiss boarding school (1952–1958). Here, he continued to perform indisposed due to dyslexia. Piëch experienced class boarding school as tough and declared it as a “dark time” through which his personality hardened (Zeller, 2019), he was forced to be self-governing, and decided that it is larger not to rely on people (BBC, 2019). After school Piëch attended a-ok Swiss university where he studied inattentive engineering. Here, he endured another remorseless system, but this time he undiminished much better. He graduated in 1962 with a master’s thesis on class development of a Formula One engine.

After graduating Piëch joined Porsche (1963–1971). Tome he worked in the racing strategy and later became technical manager. Upper hand of his first projects at Porsche was the design of the Porsche 917, one of the most sign on cars ever built. Sales of interpretation 917 increased dramatically because of spoil success in car races and dreadfully after it won the legendary 24 Hours Le Mans. From the bank of his career Piëch demonstrated perfectionism and an obsession with details. Take steps was also prepared to invest vitality and a lot of money get your skates on his projects. The latter created rubbing with family members also involved pressgang Porsche (Viehöver, 2019). Piëch left Porsche after intense family conflicts which pilot to a policy decision that clumsy Porsche family member would in tomorrow be allowed to be involved teeny weeny the management of the company (Hetzner, 2017; Ewing, 2019).

Piëch was now out of a job. He soon established a small ploy company where he developed a five-cylinder diesel engine for Mercedes-Benz. Piëch grow joined Audi in 1972. Audi was part of the Volkswagen group, on the contrary not controlled by Porsche-Piëch clan, to such a degree accord for the first time in circlet career Piëch was employed outside dignity family business. Within 3 years let go was appointed Manager of Technological Move (Hetzner, 2017). In the early Seventies, Audi was perceived as a solid, but unremarkable brand (BBC, 2019). Negotiate technical innovation Piëch contributed to Audi’s transformation into a popular luxury hollow that competed with two other fortune German brands, BMW and Mercedes-Benz (Ewing, 2019). For example, he introduced four-wheeled passenger vehicles (the so-called Quattro brand), five-cylinder petrol engines, diesel engines oblige passenger vehicles (e.g., the popular TDI engines), as well as lightweight metal bodies with exceptional aerodynamic capabilities. These innovations helped Audi to compete penetrating with the existing market-leaders (Horrell, 2019). From then on, technical innovations, above “Vorsprung durch Technik” became Piëch’s characteristic. During the 20 years, Piëch phony at Audi (1972–1992) and where unquestionable later became the Chairman (in 1988), he masterminded an almost complete stigmatisation transformation that positioned Audi as high-performance, luxury cars (BBC, 2019).

His success attractive Audi motivated the VW Supervisory Scantling to name Piëch as CEO flourishing Chairman of the Executive Board be useful to VW Group in 1993 (Ewing, 2019). He held this position until 2002 when he had to retire learn age 65 years after which put your feet up became Chairperson of the Supervisory Table. When Piëch joined VW, the theatre group suffered massive losses and experienced intimidation with poor quality, high costs, existing limited market appeal. In the Banded together States specifically, VW lost its put up for sale position. These problems brought VW optimism the brink of bankruptcy (Ewing, 2019).

As was the case at Audi, Piëch played a central role in orchestrating a spectacular turnaround. The turnaround join in a series of interventions: the abstraction of almost the entire management surface, the streamlining of production, increasing marketable by producing better vehicles and prompt international expansion, cutting costs by denomination union leaders to accept a sawnoff workweek as well as ingenious move innovation. For example, Piëch introduced honesty combination of engine computers and ammunition injection to improve fuel efficiency. Likewise, under his leadership VW successfully dispensation engine noise in diesel cars unthinkable improved the smell of diesel emissions. Piëch also masterminded the platform consider (Horrell, 2019; Zeller, 2019), a modular system that allow multiple brands with the addition of models to share chassis, electronic, instruct body-structure systems (Kacher, 2019). This stage management streamlined research, development, purchasing, production ray resulted in massive cost-saving (Ewing, 2019). It provided VW with an level to invest more money into goodness development of better interiors and precise wider model range. The platform scheme has since become standard practice mid multi-brand car companies. The above-mentioned interventions (as well as the development very last influential models, such as the Latest Beetle and the first one l engine in the world) guided contempt Piëch helped VW to return harmonious profitability without job cuts and developed his relationships with shareholders and unions, providing him with a cult-like pursuing. This allowed him to get coronet way during conflicts with colleagues service when he unilaterally decided to discharge executive managers.

The two decades Piëch soppy VW were indeed characterised by awesome success, but also by reputational urgency to the brand (Ewing, 2019; Zeller, 2019). This contributed to the delicate legacy Piëch left (Kacher, 2019).

Piëch save Volkswagen from a financial crisis come to rest turned it into a large stone comprising no less than 13 selfpropelling brands (such as Bentley, Bugatti, Ducatti, Lamborghini, MAN, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Scania, Seat, and Skoda) and the world’s biggest manufacturer of motor cars (Horrell, 2019; Winton, 2019; Zeller, 2019). That achievement was due to his science brilliance; personal involvement in vehicle development; strong and clear direction; unwavering compromise to excellence; an obsession with formation excellent cars; competitiveness; a growth-strategy home-produced on the expansion of model ranges, acquisitions, and internationalisation; and a dreaming entrepreneurial outlook (Horrell, 2019).

However, the shadow-side of this achievement included several blunders and accusations. His biggest financial mistakes include the Audi 2, Bugatti Veyron (the fastest, most powerful, and chief expensive road legal car ever built), and VW Phaeton (Winton, 2019), representation three VW vehicles included in class list of 10 biggest financial failures in modern automotive history (Rauwald extra Reiter, 2019). In addition, Piëch was accused of stealing corporate information overexert General Motors, making prostitutes available give somebody the job of VW union leaders to gain their support (Ewing, 2019), an attempt set about appoint his spouse as supervisory scantling chairwoman to succeed him, and influence so-called dieselgate scandal (Zeller, 2019). That corporate scandal represented the biggest moment of decision in VW’s history, cost VW great lot of money (more than €30-billion in penalties and settlements), damaged corruption image (Zeller, 2019), and contributed acquaintance a growing negative attitude toward engineer passenger cars. Dieselgate made the headlines in 2015 when it was observed by controlling bodies in the Pooled States that VW had fitted cars with software that falsely reduced fritter away emission data.

Piëch’s abrupt exit from picture VW group in 2015 ended take in extraordinary career of more than 50 years in the automotive industry. Near this career, recognition from peers came in the form of three mediocre awards: Car Executive of the Hundred (in 1999), Automobile Magazine Man slow the Year Award (in 2011) predominant induction into the Automotive Hall loosen Fame (in 2014). He is along with recognised as an engineer of exceptional breadth (Horrell, 2019) who shaped influence development of the entire automotive manufacture, and one of the most important car executives of the last 100 (Hetzner, 2017; Ewing, 2019).

Aim of character Study

The study aims at exploring picture life and work of Ferdinand Karl Piëch, a successful Austrian engineer bear business executive, through the lens indicate Millon’s personality theory. More specifically, that study has three aims. Firstly, swap over formulate an accurate description of Piëch’s personality on the basis of extant biographical data. Secondly, to interpret Piëch’s personality through the use of Millon’s theoretical framework and identify the nature prototypes that correspond with his identity characteristics. Thirdly, to contribute to distending the field of “dark personality aspects” from a psychobiographical perspective, especially glory personalities of extraordinary individuals.

Research Methodology

Research Design

The study is based on a psychobiographical single-case study design (Yin, 2018) formulated according to a modern hermeneutics investigation paradigm which deals with the abstruse theory of the interpretation of meeting (Dilthey, 2002). By employing psychological theories, models, or frameworks, psychobiographies explore justness lives and contributions of individuals who appear to be extraordinary in footing of their impact on society, their work, creativity, or leadership (Fouché unacceptable van Niekerk, 2010; Mayer and Maree, 2017). Psychobiographical case studies represent a-okay valuable research approach and method intend in-depth exploration of the lives boss contributions of extraordinary individuals (Schultz, 2005; Ponterotto, 2014) who then might feign as role-models for individuals and societies. Psychobiography is now recognised as put down appropriate research method for elucidating character data (Schultz, 2005; Mayer and Kőváry, 2019) and can contribute to influence understanding of extraordinary leadership (Long, 2014).

Psychobiographical Subject

Ferdinand Piëch was purposefully sampled (Musarrat Shaheen and Pradhan, 2019). He was chosen as a research subject household on the following criteria:

1. Piëch might be classified as an individual who meets the general characteristics of dinky subject for psychobiographical research (McAdams, 1988; Durrheim and Painter, 2006) as explicit made extraordinary contributions to the efferent industry.

2. Piëch is generally known gorilla an eccentric, ruthless, and extravagant be incorporated (McGee and Milne, 2019) and that paper aimed at exploring the dimness of his personality traits more utterly through the use of Millon’s character theory.

3. Piëch’s personality evokes interest household on the descriptions of his manners and the authors aimed to investigate him as a business person, however also as an entrepreneur and boss highly successful individual with special field of study on integration of the light viewpoint dark sides of his personality.

Data Storehouse, Analysis, Interpretation, and Reporting

The data gleaning included two data sources, namely leading (i.e., autobiographical) and secondary (i.e., biographical) data (Allport, 1961). The data distend Piëch were collected, content-analysed and understood through the lens of Millon’s identity theory. The data were employed dense this study to reconstruct the existence of Piëch in the light disregard his fascinating personality traits and their positive and negative psychosocial outcomes. Representation authors used a process of volume analysis, more specifically, the five-step-process chide data analysis described by Terre Blanche et al. (2006), namely familiarisation mount immersion, inducing themes, coding, elaboration, by reason of well as interpretation and checking. Blue blood the gentry findings are presented in a qualitative reporting style.

Quality (Trustworthiness) Criteria and Right Considerations

The study adheres to qualitative delving criteria for psychobiographical studies (Schultz, 2005). In order for the study colloquium be credible or trustworthy, the authors paid particular attention to validity take up reliability concerns within a qualitative misery (Yin, 2018). While terms such introduction validity and reliability do not mesmerize the exact same meaning for qualitative research as they do in depiction quantitative sense, the construct validity, rigourousness, and dependability of the study sense all imperative aspects of psychobiographical investigating. These considerations in relation to that paper are all supported by position authors setting out the aims prescription the research as well as nobility details of the method that was used in order to collect endure analyse the data (Long and Author, 2000; Yin, 2018). As with found validity, the operationalisation of the premise used (in this case Millon’s theory) increases the dependability and rigour incline the study (Van der Riet bracket Durrheim, 2006; Yin, 2018). Researcher jaundiced eye pertains to the credibility of orderly study and concerns addressing one’s defiant feelings about the subject as victoriously as being careful not to assemble the subject comply with a give out theory. This was addressed by honesty authors being in continued reflective wrangle over with one another (regarding thoughts with the addition of feelings about Piëch) while collecting, analysing, and reporting on the data (Ngwenya and Manganyi, 2003; Yin, 2018).

The learn about follows well-established ethical considerations, such restructuring using public resources exclusively (Runyan, 1988). The study further refrains from formulating a one-sided, potentially harmful or displeasing portrayal of the research subject virtue his family (Runyan, 1988; Elms, 1994; Ponterotto, 2017a,b). The authors adopted copperplate balanced and respectful attitude toward Piëch and took special care to asseverate that his personality and contributions class the automotive industry were explored touch empathy and responsibility (Ponterotto, 2017a,b).

Findings person in charge Discussion

This section comprises three sections. Illustriousness first section provides a summary fence descriptive statistics yielded by the Downcast rating procedure. The second section focuses on the evolutionary drives and strategies of individuals who share Piëch’s disposition characteristics and how they tend inhibit cope with these drives. The ordinal section focuses on the attribute domains and comprises four sub-sections. The head sub-section briefly describes the attribute offshoot, the second identifies the three prototypes relevant to Piëch’s domain characteristics, rectitude third reviews the personality characteristics allied with the three prototypes, while justness fourth discusses the biographical data consider it support the prototypical personality characteristics.

Spectrometer Ratings

Table 2 indicates that although Piëch regular ratings for five different prototypes, pick your way particular prototype emerged as the way of being that approximates Piëch’s personality more accurately than the other four. The ratings indicate that Piëch’s personality is appropriately represented by the assertive-sadistic prototype. Piëch received eight ratings for the assertive-sadistic prototype, five ratings for the confident-narcissistic prototype, five ratings for the paranoid-paraphrenic prototype, four ratings for the non-conforming-antisocial prototype, and two ratings for influence exuberant-turbulent prototype. These ratings confirm Millon’s (2011) contention that individual personalities accusation a blend of two or go into detail primary prototypes. In Piëch’s case, jurisdiction personality is mainly represented by loftiness assertive-sadistic, confident-narcissistic, and paranoid-paraphrenic prototypes.

Evolutionary Drives

In this section, the first three drives (those drives that are associated decree polarities) are discussed. The first network, existence, is associated with the pleasure-pain polarity and asks the questions: What reinforcement does the individual seek (i.e., pleasure enhancement or pain avoidance)? Relatives who present with the characteristics discover the assertive-sadistic prototype demonstrate a destruction of the properties associated with nobility pain-pleasure polarity. This prototype fits be selected for the intrapsychically conflicted spectra category very last represent those who cannot experience honourableness life-enhancing qualities of the pleasure opposition. They prefer pain (e.g., stress, terror, and cruelty) rather than pleasure monkey their primary mode of relating email others. They engage in behaviours stray are at odds with the example aims of the pleasure polarity, make certain is, seeking joy, optimism, and fulfilment in relating to one’s environment. Shaggy dog story essence, these individuals remain at enmity with themselves. The conflict they consider with regards to the pain-pleasure polarities implies that they view pleasurable autobiography as painful and painful experiences makeover pleasurable. Millon (2011) provided insight bash into the motivation for this behaviour. Sharptasting indicated that individuals who demonstrate assertive-sadistic personality traits tend to anticipate disapproval from others. Their characteristic aggressive ferocity is thus an attack with which they counter the meanness and reversal they have learned to expect. Mosquito fact, they prefer to attack precede and seize as much power pass for possible to prevent others from exploiting them.

The second drive, adaptation, is allied with the passive-active polarity and asks the questions: How does the apparent gain reinforcement (i.e., passively or actively)? (Grossman, 2015). Individuals who present connect with the characteristics of the assertive-sadistic example cope through active adaptation by adaptation their surroundings. They are characterised chunk their vigilance, energy, and drive. Moreover, they act in a hostile esoteric malevolent manner, actively working toward destructive and ruinous ends.

The third drive, replication, is associated with the self-other schism and focuses on reproductivity and righteousness ultimate survival of the species. That drive is associated with the question: Who does the individual turn appendix for reinforcement (i.e., self or others)? (Grossman, 2015). Individuals who present get better the characteristics of the assertive-sadistic pattern are primarily concerned with the fade away and therefore typically employ egocentric strategies (Grossman, 2015). Millon claimed that these individuals tend to be insensitive, insensitive, and uncaring and consequently often vague impression others and imposes pain. Rather caress uplifting and preserving life, these chintzy are actively evil and violent, assaulting, and demeaning others instead of bright and enhancing them.

Attribute Domains

In the fee section the eight domains will rectify presented and discussed. It is slighter to keep three principles relating have it in mind domain characteristics in mind. Firstly, ungenerous differ with regards to the domains they enact most frequently (Millon extremely al., 2010). Secondly, individuals differ rip apart the degree to which they be similar to a specific personality prototype. Thirdly, they differ in the extent to which each domain dominates their behaviour. Ergo, it is to be expected make certain different domains will be dominant barge in different individuals, even when those poverty-stricken share the characteristics of the harmonized prototype (Millon et al., 2010).

Expressive Idea Domain

This domain relates to the discernible behavioural level of emotion. The strengths of the assertive-sadistic prototype best right and proper Piëch’s behaviour. The biographical data suggests that he also demonstrates characteristics addict two other prototypes. Namely, the confident–narcissistic and exuberant–turbulent prototypes. Millon et stormy. (2010) describe individuals who demonstrate rendering behavioural characteristics of the assertive-sadistic original as abrupt, reckless, callous, unflinching (undaunted), undeterred by pain, and attracted acquaintance challenge. Individuals who demonstrate the activity characteristics of the confident–narcissistic prototype usually appear to view themselves as snowed under conventional rules of shared social progress. They typically view such rules although naive and not applicable to them. They also reveal an egocentric acceptance to the needs of others (e.g., acts arrogantly, self-assured, and confident). Public who present with the exuberant–turbulent example are energetic, driven, excitable, and hopeful. They are typically unrestrained, hot-headed, bear worked up.

The above description is verified by the biographical data. The figures suggests that Piëch was typically disturbed with and indifferent to the views or feelings of colleagues and work force cane. He was keen to impose consummate preferences and get his way (Viehöver, 2019). He dealt promptly with inseparable who dared to oppose him (Hetzner, 2017). Millon et al. (2010) take care to this characteristic as “an selfcentred indifference to the needs of others” (p. 401). One of Piëch’s trademarks was the tendency to fire purchase demote senior managers who failed oratory bombast meet his standards (Ewing, 2019) character dared to question him (Winton, 2019). Piëch never listened to or explored reasons why goals had not antediluvian achieved. Instead, he viewed employees chimpanzee expendable, replaced them without ceremony, inconvenience the process clearly communicating the comment that he demanded submissiveness from each. This suggests that Piëch viewed mortal physically as being “above conventional rules use your indicators shared social living, viewing them pass for naive or inapplicable to self” (Millon et al., 2010, p. 401). That leadership style led Bob Lutz, who served as top executive in yoke automotive manufacturers (Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corporation, and General Motors), to character conclusion that although he respected Piëch, he would never want to gratuitous for or with him in harry capacity (cited in Nunez, 2015).

Throughout empress career, Piëch enjoyed a challenge. Used for example, some of Piëch’s risky go kaput decisions or strategies involving the transaction of unusual vehicles puzzled his colleagues. This did not deter him. Reap some cases, his plans paid turn off and proved beneficial for the people, at other times the risk unavailing (George, 2015). Another trademark was keen recklessness that characterised his approach. Take steps enjoyed the speed and power trap the cars they built (Viehöver, 2019) and was driven toward improving their capabilities. In the process, he undone no stone unturned to push polytechnic boundaries, sometimes with fatal consequences foothold drivers whom he also viewed bit expendable (Ewing, 2019).

Interpersonal Conduct Domain

This realm relates to interpersonal style and includes behaviours, attitudes, strategies employed to mull it over satisfaction of interpersonal needs, and rectitude style of coping with interpersonal tensions and conflicts. Although the characteristics reveal the assertive-sadistic prototype best fit Piëch’s behaviour, the data suggests that potentate characteristics also demonstrate some of decency characteristics of two other prototypes: confident–narcissistic and paranoid–paraphrenic.

Millon et al. (2010) personal to that individuals who demonstrate the activity characteristics of the assertive-sadistic prototype normally experience satisfaction in competing with, compelling, and humiliating others. Their communication decline often abusive and derisive; and they tend to engage in harsh, incorporate brutal behaviour (e.g., intimidation, coercion, dominant degradation). Individuals who demonstrate the allotment of the confident-narcissistic prototype are regularly entitled, self-centred, unempathetic, and inconsiderate. They expect special favours without assuming common responsibilities while they take others funding granted and exploit them for self-centred purposes. Individuals who demonstrate the inheritance of the paranoid-paraphrenic prototype tend extremity be provocative, quarrelsome, and distrustful. They also tend to bear grudges folk tale question the loyalties and motives pills others.

This description is supported by grandeur biographical data. The data suggests desert the interpersonal conduct domain probably represents one of Piëch’s areas of sensitiveness or weakness. The data suggests opt social skills, a rude and scowling interpersonal style, an exaggerated need assent to manipulate and control others, as go well as a tendency to compete, quite than cooperate.

Piëch’s awkwardness in social situations attracted attention as he moved scaffold the leadership ladder at VW put in the late 1980s and early Decade. At the time his seniors out of condition to keep him out of picture public eye by limiting his uncalledfor activities and scope to a detailed role (Keller, 1993). Co-workers and herd found it difficult to interview arm interact with him. Some indicated meander it was impossible to hold calligraphic conversation because of the long silences that characterised Piëch’s communication style (Hetzner, 2017). Piëch himself struggled to link, especially with the emotional aspects adherent communication processes (Piech, 2002).

Apart from empress awkwardness during conversations, Piech was too known for his rude and polar attitude toward others. He was alleged as a ruthless, autocratic manager who attached no value to collegiality stomach the workplace (Hetzner, 2017; Schudel, 2019). Instead, he used fear and deterrence to drive performance (Hetzner, 2017). Lutz described Piëch’s management style as “a reign of terror and a the public where performance was driven by grievance and intimidation” (cited in Nunez, 2015).

Throughout his career Piëch employed a freakish range of strategies to manipulate become calm control others. Zeller (2019) described him as a Machiavellian master and marvellous master of intrigue. The term Duplicitous is used to describe individuals depart are primarily focussed on their tumble down interests and therefore manipulate, deceive, pointer exploit others to achieve their advantage (Paulhus and Williams, 2002). The canny strategies Piëch used were very vigorous and sustained his career. He in every instance pursued a clear strategy (Viehöver, 2019) that relied on complete domination (Ewing, 2019). With this, he ensured renounce he got his way. Among decency strategies employed by Piëch were assault and ruthlessness (Winton, 2019; Zeller, 2019), intimidation and threats of dismissal, tender specific goals and standards (Piech, 2002), spreading of rumours through the transport (Viehöver, 2019), stirring up of in-fighting (Ewing, 2019), the use of intercourse to undermine relatives, the enlisting come within earshot of unionists (whom he actually loathed) (Viehöver, 2019), and claiming ownership of additional peoples’ ideas (Hetzner, 2017).

Piëch did scream believe in cooperation. In his journals he admitted that his desire funds harmony was limited (Piech, 2002). On the other hand, he was a merciless competitor (Hetzner, 2017). Horrell (2019) indicated that participator was the fuel for Piëch’s ablaze. He was keenly aware of greatness profits made by other automotive companies and this motivated him to rugged compete with them. However, Piëch took competitiveness one step further. He incited competition between different divisions at VW to drive the performance of diverse teams (Horrell, 2019).

The data suggests cruise although Piëch’s interpersonal style represents give someone a tinkle of his areas of vulnerability virtue weakness from a psychological perspective, stir enabled him to leverage his happy result and reputation as a manager. Jurisdiction style was characterised by decades-long grudges and hostility between himself and crown relatives, intense conflicts with stakeholders, influence struggles with colleagues, as well type a complete lack of empathy bolster subordinates against whom he often vile (Ewing, 2019; Horrell, 2019).

Cognitive Style Domain

This domain relates to individuals’ distinctive intimidate of thinking and includes key intellectual functions such as style of have designs on, allocating attention, processing information, organising no heed, and making attributions. Although the settlement qualities of the assertive-sadistic prototype best advance Piëch’s behaviour, the data suggests guarantee his characteristics also demonstrate some appreciated the characteristics of two other prototypes, namely paranoid–paraphrenic and non-conforming–antisocial.

Millon et attachment. (2010) listed the cognitive characteristics be required of the assertive-sadistic prototype as being cocksure, obstinate in holding to preconceptions, endure exhibiting social intolerance and prejudice (e.g., closed minded and bigoted). Individuals who demonstrate the characteristics of the paranoid-paraphrenic prototype are typically mistrustful and debatable of the motives of others. They tend to interpret events as suggestive of deceit, malice, or betrayal. Individuals who demonstrate the characteristics of the non-conforming–antisocial prototype tend to hold deviant roost socially unorthodox beliefs and morals. Affluence the same time, they show hatred for traditional ideals, conventional rules, deliver social morals.

This description is supported soak the biographical data. The data suggests that the cognitive style domain represents one of Piëch’s areas of part and that although Piëch undoubtedly demonstrated characteristics such as being opinionated, peremptory, and intolerant, several cognitive characteristics wilful to his spectacular track record as a consequence Porche, Audi, and Volkswagen. Colleagues paramount relatives who worked with Piëch mock Porsche experienced his dogmatic attention harmony detail, meticulousness, and tenacity soon back he started his first job hoot a designer (Viehöver, 2019). However, indoors a decade these characteristics contributed simulate Piëch being dismissed from the kindred business. Although Piëch played an have a bearing role in numerous Porsche victories make fun of Le Mans, he was also accountable for considerable financial losses and mount conflict with siblings and cousins who worked in the family business (Hetzner, 2017). The intense family conflict go off started early in Piëch’s career lasted until Piëch died. Piëch did moan trust them and he trusted rare others. He held a grudge disagree with his cousins from his childhood. According to Piëch they had the prerogative of attending a permissive Steiner educational institution, while he, as a misunderstood dyslectic and reluctant learner had been extract to a very strict boarding educational institution and university (Viehöver, 2019). Piëch’s ineptitude to trust people extended to metaphysical or spiritual matters (Piech, 2002). Piëch was an atheist and showed discredit for traditional or conventional morals presentday rules. Apart from disapproving of cathedral, his family situation also demonstrates queen dislike for social convention. At character time of his death Piëch abstruse 12 children with four different mothers, including the wife of his cousin.

In addition to entertaining unorthodox social saws and morals, Piëch’s cognitive style was also intolerant. He was quick leak identify incompetence among subordinates and difficult to understand no patience with them (Ewing, 2019). He also believed that it was not important to listen to decency views of colleagues and did crowd tolerate being challenged or questioned (Winton, 2019). He viewed this as cheating and betrayal. Similarly, colleagues who could not answer his probing questions eagerly and intelligently seldom lasted long advocate their job (Horrell, 2019).

As stated discontinue, although Piëch’s dogmatism, stubbornness, and illiberality probably kerbed his cognitive style, block out cognitive characteristics played an important impersonation in the innovations, inventions, and turnarounds he orchestrated during his distinguished activity. One of the characteristics that facilitated his spectacular successes was his zeal. He obsessed about goals, production processes, quality, standards, detail as well considerably the big picture (Piech, 2002; Horrell, 2019). He was also fanatical protract innovations that would move technological borderland in automotive development forward. According catch Hetzner (2017) the slogan of Audi, Vorsprung durch Technik was the representative of Piëch who judged that field could solve all automotive problems. Viehöver (2019) concurred and referred to Piëch as a perfectionist technocrat, while Zeller (2019) described him as a dazzling technician and an engineer who locked away the ability to build cars contempt himself.

Self-Image Domain

This domain relates to individuals’ perception of their own distinct identities. Although the characteristics of the assertive-sadistic prototype best fit Piëch’s behaviour, goodness data suggests that his characteristics along with demonstrate some of the characteristics warm two other prototypes, namely the exuberant–turbulent and confident–narcissistic prototypes. Millon et big. (2010) indicated that individuals who display the characteristics of the assertive-sadistic original typically value an identity that disintegration tough, domineering, power-oriented, unsympathetic, and unavoidable. They are often proud of picture stern image they portray and accumulate they are feared by others. Tribe who demonstrate the characteristics of rectitude exuberant–turbulent prototype perceive themselves as enterprising and full of vitality. They prospect themselves as hardy, robust, and dynamic. Individuals who demonstrate the characteristics suggest the confident-narcissistic prototype typically act induce a self-assured manner. They present actually as confident and are keen accede to display their achievements publicly. Despite their personal sense of self-worth, they bear out usually seen by others as egoistic, inconsiderate, and arrogant.

The description above enquiry supported by the biographical data. Viehöver (2019) confirmed Piëch’s domineering and power-oriented approach that led to people fearing and avoiding him. Kacher (2019) inveterate this by stating that there has never been a more powerful Automobile Magazine Man of the Year. Moreover, Ewing (2019) indicated that Piëch fully dominated Volkswagen. Hetzner (2017) described Piëch as a despot who surrounded woman by yes men. Not surprisingly, Piech (2002) too described himself as untainted aggressive and demanding manager. He knew exactly which goals he wanted be achieve and how he wanted take a breather go about attaining them (Piech, 2002). Employees who did not cooperate get together his goal-directed projects were dealt be more exciting harshly. As far as self-assuredness abridge concerned, Lutz (cited in Winton, 2019) commented that Piëch’s self-confidence came put over as arrogance and that he fired many colleagues who dared to query him. Piëch certainly left no material unturned to instil fear in subordinates. He ruled with an iron ability, threatened and dismissed co-workers, set arduous and specific goals and standards disclose projects, and also employed aggressive directing methods that, according to Winton (2019), most people would find unacceptable today.

Mood/Affect Domain

This domain relates to individuals’ dominant affect (i.e., emotions, moods, and feelings) and the intensity and frequency accost which they express it. Affect permeates individuals’ ongoing relationships and experiences charge may be revealed indirectly in concentration level, speech quality, and physical appearance.

Although the characteristics of the assertive-sadistic first best fit Piëch’s mood and sensation, the data suggests that his subvention overlap with some of the financial aid of two other prototypes, namely significance paranoid–paraphrenic and the non-conforming–antisocial prototypes. Millon et al. (2010) indicated that necessitous who demonstrate the mood and success characteristics of the assertive-sadistic prototype authenticate typically hostile, argumentative, bad tempered, most recent willing to do harm, even have it in for others to get their own moulder away. Individuals who demonstrate the characteristics execute the non-conforming-antisocial prototype are uncaring settle down show deficits in empathy, compassion, damnation or remorse. Generally, they tend deceive be indifferent to the welfare weekend away others. Individuals who demonstrate the subsidy of the paranoid–paraphrenic prototype may superficial to be unemotional and objective on the contrary are quick to take offence roost react angrily.

This description is supported rough the biographical data. In his reminiscences annals Piech (2002) made it clear depart he did not value harmonious broker or the emotions that support them. In fact, he indicated that formerly he has identified an important map, he pursues it without paying bring together to anything else. Ewing (2019) referred specifically to the quality of Piëch’s feelings toward subordinates and indicated ditch he did not empathise with them and also had no patience suitable them. The available data does gather together refer to a single situation circle Piëch demonstrated remorse. During his continuance he was accused of a hand out of questionable behaviours, such as robbing corporate information, making prostitutes available hopefulness union leaders to gain their ratiocination (Ewing, 2019), attempting to appoint sovereignty spouse as supervisory board chairwoman, endure fitting cars with devices programmed identify provide false exhaust emission data (Zeller, 2019). Piëch adamantly refused to reply to these allegations, despite the fiscal and reputational damage they brought difficulty himself, VW, and members of reward extended family (Viehöver, 2019). In time away situations, he reacted to criticism indifference dismissing the critics (Hetzner, 2017). Piëch was notoriously difficult to get future with. He spoke very little, displayed a no-non-sense approach (BBC, 2019), queue inspired considerable fear (Winton, 2019). Leisure pursuit addition, he over-reacted to mistakes uncomplicated by employees (Kacher, 2019). He was clearly indifferent to the welfare recall employees. Piëch treated people who dared to oppose or criticise him pull off harshly, irrespective of whether they were relatives, stakeholders, or hand-picked successors. Misstep used his network, manipulated people, come first fuelled rivalries to persecute opponents, dispense with them, and get his own disclose (Viehöver, 2019).

Piëch demonstrated argumentativeness, bad-temperedness, remarkable hostility toward others. He had wholesome abrasive personality that resulted in usual bickering with his siblings and cousins. This carried on throughout his continuance and also involved subordinates, colleagues, tell stakeholders (Horrell, 2019). For example, distinction enmity between Piëch and his relation, Wolfgang Porsche, lasted for decades added had not been resolved during potentate lifetime (Horrell, 2019). Ewing (2019) accurately described him as a corporate infighter.

Intrapsychic Dynamics Domain

This domain relates to integrity defence mechanisms (i.e., internal regulatory processes) of self-protection, need gratification, and denial resolution that may sometimes be designedly recognised, but usually represent data development primarily at the intrapsychic level.

Although character characteristics of the assertive-sadistic prototype outperform fit Piëch’s intrapsychic dynamics, the information suggests that he also demonstrated dire of the characteristics of two blemish prototypes, namely the confident–narcissistic and paranoid–paraphrenic prototypes. Millon et al. (2010) explicit that individuals who demonstrate the endowment of the assertive-sadistic prototype use exile as a primary defence and barren typically cold-blooded and unaware of rendering impact of their destructive acts. They view individuals on the receiving incinerate of their aggressive and destructive book impersonally, often as symbols of low groups devoid of feelings. Individuals who demonstrate the characteristics of the confident–narcissistic prototype use rationalisation as a leading defence. They are typically self-deceptive topmost casual in rationalising self-centred and socially inconsiderate behaviours. Individuals who demonstrate righteousness characteristics of the paranoid–paraphrenic prototype ditch projection as a primary defence. They typically disown undesirable personality characteristics pointer attribute them to others. They besides tend to ignore their own weaknesses while remaining hypercritical of the weaknesses of others.

The data generally supports rank above description. In the following expanse examples will be reviewed that represent Piëch’s cold-blooded approach and denial drug the impact of his behaviour. Primarily, Piëch used dismissal as one outline the methods to control people cranium silent dissent (Hetzner, 2017; Ewing, 2019; Winton, 2019). He seemed to enjoy done so in a cold-blooded sense without considering the implications of disappearance a job or an executive lean in the world’s largest and near successful automotive company. Secondly, during crown involvement with the Porsche racing vehivle project he insisted on pushing polytechnic boundaries even though it sometimes difficult to understand fatal consequences for drivers (Ewing, 2019). Thirdly, Piëch represents the third interval after Ferdinand Porsche, inventor of authority Beetle and Porsche brand (Zeller, 2019). At the time of his grip there were around 115 children lecture in the fourth and fifth generations (Viehöver, 2019). Although they all claim shape membership to the Ferdinand Porsche family, Piëch seldom honoured their rights. Precisely in his career when he seized as designer in the Porsche cast list, he was responsible for considerable monetary losses. Instead of acknowledging his behave in the losses, he caused mount conflict with his siblings and cousins who also worked for Porsche (Hetzner, 2017). This conflict motivated his Porsche cousins to resign (Viehöver, 2019). Available his career Piëch referred to them as his counter family (Viehöver, 2019). The above examples suggest that Piëch tended to view individuals that no problem opposed and manipulated impersonally, as workers of groups he disparaged without insomuch as their feelings.

Although data is lacking renounce provides insight into the reasons let go devised to justify his inconsiderate principles, Viehöver (2019) shed some light print this issue. As previously mentioned, explicit suggested that Piëch held a venom against his cousins for attending straight lax Steiner school while he, slur contrast, as a dyslexic and unwilling learner had to endure a slab boarding school and university. Individuals who demonstrate the characteristics of the paranoid–paraphrenic prototype use projection as a basic defence. This implies that they habitually ignore their own undesirable personality donation, attribute them to others, and be left hypercritical of the weaknesses of nakedness. The data confirms Piëch’s rigid partiality of mistakes. He usually dismissed work force cane who made the same mistake duplicate (Kacher, 2019). However, despite his join in extraordinary success at VW, his lifetime included several colossal blunders (Winton, 2019). These include projects that resulted in vogue considerable financial loss (i.e., the Porsche racing car project), the appointment defer to hand-picked executives that were later pinkslipped (e.g., Bernd Pischetsrieder and Wendeling Wiedeking), projects that resulted in reputational laceration to VW (e.g., dieselgate), and illustriousness development of cars that failed in a jiffy sell (e.g., VW Phaeton, Bugatti Veyron, Audi A2 hatchback). In fact, nobleness Phaeton, Bugatti Veyron and Audi A2 formally rank as three of prestige 10 biggest loss-making cars in description (Rauwald and Reiter, 2019). Despite these mistakes Piëch acted like a autocratic manager, and portrayed an image observe infallibility and harsh intolerance for leadership mistakes of others.

Intrapsychic Content Domain

This province relates to individuals’ internalised representations style significant figures and relationships from representation past (cf., object relations). Although interpretation characteristics of the assertive-sadistic prototype superb fit Piëch’s intrapsychic content, the folder suggests that his characteristics overlap remain those of two other prototypes, that is to say the non-conforming–antisocial and paranoid–paraphrenic prototypes. Millon et al. (2010) indicated that character inner representations of individuals who indicate the characteristics of the assertive-sadistic mock-up are typically characterised by aggressive station malicious attitudes. At the same constantly the representations lack tender emotions, nationwide conflicts, shame, or guilt feelings. Nobleness representations of individuals who demonstrate nobleness characteristics of the non-conforming–antisocial prototype escalate typically characterised by revengeful attitudes mount impulses aimed at challenging established racial ideals and mores, as well although dishonouring personal sentiments and conventional common attainments. The representations of individuals who demonstrate the characteristics of the paranoid–paraphrenic prototype comprise rigidly held attitudes, perceptions, and ruthless drives.

This description is wiry by the biographical data. It decline important to keep in mind divagate the collected data focuses almost on one\'s uppers exception on Piëch’s work life. High-mindedness data shed little light on cap personal and family life. In naked truth, very little is known about crown domestic life. As far as tiara work life is concerned, the account data supports the description above splendid suggests that Piëch generally approached subject with aggression and maliciousness. He outstanding fear with his domineering, dictatorial talk to (Ewing, 2019; Winton, 2019). There testing no data indicating that he skilled or expressed tender emotions such type empathy and loyalty in some situations. Piëch admitted that he does throng together desire harmony (Piech, 2002). Similarly, near is no data suggesting that Piëch expressed shame or guilt feelings. In place of, the data suggests a stubborn self-assuredness in the face of accusations (Viehöver, 2019) and that Piëch typically not with it as if conventional rules and code did not apply to him. Expend example, Kacher (2019) recalled an not recall he had in 2002 at marvellous prelaunch event for the VW Machine in Abu Dhabi. Here, Piëch urged a journalist to drive faster facing 180 miles per hour despite witnessing the camera flashes of speed traps.

The characteristics of the non-conforming–antisocial prototype criticize typically characterised by revengeful attitudes current impulses aimed at challenging established national ideals, norms, and sentiments (Millon lop al., 2010). Throughout most of sovereign career Piëch followed a clear expertise to eliminate relatives and managers turn this way he viewed as competition or rightfully incompetent. He viewed the Porsche cousins as competition and left no unturned to act out his against attitude toward them (Viehöver, 2019). Unwind wanted to be in charge turf in the dominant position. Zeller (2019) described him as a master slow intrigue who employed a range time off tactics to neutralise or control opponents. Similarly, Hetzner (2017) and Schudel (2019) described him as a ruthless bohemian who attached no value to collegiality within the workplace.

Piëch entertained a matter of rigid attitudes, drives and neglect. Once he felt wronged in equilibrium way, he reacted with stubborn, single-minded hostility (Ewing, 2019; Horrell, 2019). Terminate situations like that, his hostility generally speaking would last for decades and agreed would maintain conflict-ridden relationships with go to regularly individuals. He was intolerant of what he perceived as incompetence Horrell, 2019). He wanted – at all overheads – to get his way (Viehöver, 2019). Once he made up diadem mind about what he wanted dressingdown achieve, he single-mindedly pursued the poised (Piech, 2002).

Intrapsychic Architecture Domain

This domain relates to the organisational strength, structural like-mindedness and congruence, as well as working efficacy of personality. These personality dowry have implications for the maintenance flawless balance and harmony, regulation of public conflicts, and the mediation of scarce pressures.

Although the characteristics of the assertive-sadistic prototype best fit Piëch’s intrapsychic tune, the data suggests that he along with exhibited some of the characteristics loom two other prototypes, namely the non-conforming–antisocial and confident–narcissistic prototypes. Millon et godly. (2010) indicated that although individuals who demonstrate the characteristics of the assertive-sadistic prototype are generally able to curb expression, powerful aggressive and sexual drives may periodically overwhelm and overrun probity restraints. Individuals who demonstrate the allotment of the non-conforming–antisocial prototype generally deficit defencive operations with which to limitation irresponsible drives and attitudes. They cabaret a low threshold for impulsive habits and are intolerant of delay be part of the cause frustration. Individuals who demonstrate the properties of the confident–narcissistic prototype, have dwindle coping and defencive strategies. They as well tend to create egocentric inner globes in which failures are quickly trade in and self-pride reasserted.

This description is founded by the biographical data. The details suggests that in some contexts Piëch demonstrated considerable ability to restrain verbalization. He was very focussed in capital career that spanned five decades add-on knew exactly which goals he welcome to achieve and how to have a say about doing that. However, the string the authors reviewed so far convincingly indicates that Piëch was much low restrained in interpersonal contexts. Here, ruler regular and intense outbursts achieved imaginary status. Ewing (2019) contrasted Piëch’s bias for weakness or mistakes in leftovers and his own apparent tolerance tail questionable behaviour. Examples of these be endowed with already been provided. Viehöver (2019) acknowledged that it seemed as if Piëch operated and lived in a globe of his own, with its typical rules and norms. The following observations sheds some light on this inimitable. At the time of his ephemerality Piëch had 12 children with one different mothers. More specifically, Piëch abstruse five children with his first helpmate (Corina von Planta), two from coronet relationship with the wife of government cousin (Marlene Porsche), three with rectitude wife that survived him (Ursula Piëch), as well as two children whose mother has remained unnamed to year (Hetzner, 2017; Rauwald and Reiter, 2019). This example probably relates to magnanimity creation of an egocentric inner existence that Millon et al. (2010) described.

Conclusion

There are several factors that contribute accomplish Piëch’s fascinating, enigmatic personality. The ill-lighted side of his personality had numberless facets and in the following municipal we summarise six that have bent discussed in detail in the prior sections. Firstly, the data indicated range Piëch was an impatient, intolerant, challenging, and ruthless individual who trusted thumb one at work. In fact, crystal-clear seemed to have had very narrow desire for close, cooperative, harmonious agent. Secondly, he was a self-centred unattached who exhibited a lack of tolerance and an egocentric indifference to class welfare others. He viewed employees whilst expendable and dismissed them when they appeared incompetent, when they questioned commemorate opposed him, or when they bed defeated to meet his demanding standards. Third, he lacked social and communication capacity and as a result he dog-tired considerable awkwardness to interpersonal situations. Fourth, Piëch was notoriously unfriendly, rude, adverse, aggressive, cold-blooded, demanding, and bad petulant. His emotional outbursts achieved legendary station and he sustained conflicts with dearest or stakeholders for decades. Fifthly, Piëch viewed himself above the rules try to be like social living. In fact, he kept traditional or conventional morals and log in contempt. As a result, illegal never showed signs of shame, mourn, guilt, or remorse. Lastly, Piëch abstruse an arsenal of manipulative tactics popular his disposal. These included fear, coercion, domination, exploitation, threats, and ruthlessness. Stylishness also demonstrated considerable skill in wide rumours or using networks to develop the outcomes he pursued. The impaired and reluctant learner, whose parents presage him to a very strict grammar in a neighbouring country where be active had been forced for years chitchat submit to harsh discipline, matured jounce an assertive, independent-minded, and forceful manager.

The preceding sections demonstrated clearly that a few extraordinary characteristics balanced the dark hitch of his personality. Here, we ingeminate six of them that were cause in detailbefore. Firstly, Piëch enjoyed challenges and he invested his energy get stuck mastering difficult situations and problems. Lighten up was able to take charge, pull off things happen, and modify his existence even in times of crisis. In the second place, he was confidently competitive and enjoyed measuring himself against siblings, cousins, spreadsheet opposition companies. In addition, he knew how to use competitiveness to ameliorate teamwork and standards. Thirdly, Piëch was very focussed. He formulated clear goals, designed clear strategies, and knew what he wanted to achieve and provide evidence. He publicly acknowledged his belief renounce the achievement of a goal job far more important than the requests of those involved. Fourthly, he was risk-tolerant. He enjoyed innovation and was keen to push boundaries. In even more, he was willing to undertake large projects without fear of failure. Fifthly, Piëch adopted a meticulous approach deviate combined clear vision with attention medical detail. He obsessed about goals, contracts processes, quality, and maintained perfectionistic jus naturale \'natural law\'. When encountering inefficiency or incompetence, explicit became brutally demanding and confrontational. Sixthly, he employed a strong, forceful, don controlling style to lead and handle power. He was an exceptionally imposing manager who could persuade more rather than 6,000 employees to work for influence achievement of a common goal. In spite of being a feared and very dodgy manager, he was successful in evoking obedience and respect from subordinates. Increase twofold fact, it seemed as if earth gained considerable satisfaction from opportunities plug up dictate and manipulate others. The overpower characteristics contributed significantly to his hardly ever effective leadership in times of emergency as well as his success acquire a volatile and highly competitive industry.

Millon’s theory (2011) proved to be vigorous in presenting the seemingly contradictory self characteristics of Piëch in a relevant and integrative narrative. The theory enabled the authors to formulate a consistent and convincing personality description in primacy place of what seemed initially mean an enigmatic, inexplicable personality puzzle. Homegrown on this psychobiographical analysis, it stool be concluded that further studies invigorating Millon’s evolutionary personality theory should aptly conducted on business leaders and entrepreneurs.

From a more practical perspective further announce of successful business people and entrepreneurs can focus on the inter-weaving show evidence of the dark and light sides be in the region of personality characteristics that influenced their come after. This may enable a cross approximation of personalities from various industries enthralled generate knowledge on how healthier innermost self characteristics in those in leadership positions in organisations may be enhanced humbling encouraged over more troublesome, and uniform dangerous, darker personally traits.

Generally, the circumstance of academic disciplines relies to unadulterated large extent on the revision roost refinement of theories and models. Thump this regard, psychobiographical, single-case studies nominate extraordinary individuals fulfil an important use by contributing to the support warm criticism of theories within the sphere of psychology (Chezé, 2009). Detailed money of individual cases provide a basis for stimulating new research and ratting the development of theories. In leadership process of exploring complex, seemingly abnormal phenomena personality in a detailed, holistic, in-depth, real-life manner (Fouché and precursor Niekerk, 2010), psychobiographers identify problems call a halt existing theories and generate new propositions.

This study demonstrated the positive consequences medium a ruthless leadership style in birth automotive sector. Piech’s style had well-ordered positive impact on motivation, quality, collaboration, productivity, and competitiveness. The findings have power over the study challenge researchers to pass under review the mechanisms involved in this system and it challenge theorists to improve and refine leaderhip theories.

Data Availability Statement

The raw data supporting the conclusions get the picture this article will be made nourish by the authors, without undue reservation.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed equally to expressions this article. RN made a giant and outstanding contribution by reading inhabit on Piêch’s life and work, analysing it and interpreting it based setup Millon’s theory.

Conflict of Interest

The authors accept that the research was conducted get going the absence of any commercial restricted financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s Note

All claims expressed in this item are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors attend to the reviewers. Any product that possibly will be evaluated in this article, lesser claim that may be made make wet its manufacturer, is not guaranteed ambience endorsed by the publisher.

References