Have you ever had an abusive boss, a partner who gaslit you at every turn, or a friend who always seemed to bend the truth? You might have crossed paths with someone in the Dark Triad. On this episode of Office Hours, I’m diving into a topic that doesn’t create happiness but often destroys it: the Dark Triad personality constellation. These are the people with three characteristics: narcissism (it’s all about them), Machiavellianism (they’re willing to hurt you), and psychopathy (they feel little empathy or remorse when they do). Drawing on behavioral science research and evolutionary psychology, I explain what makes Dark Triads tick, how to recognize them before they hurt you, and why avoiding them is essential for your well-being. I also share what to look for instead—the Light Triad, people who trust others, believe in human dignity, and leave you feeling warm and uplifted in their presence. I discuss: • The core traits of the Dark Triad and how they drive destructive behavior • Which careers and environments attract dark triads and how to spot the red flags • How Machiavellianism shows up in politics (on both sides) • The science of emophilia and why people who fall in love too fast are Dark Triad targets • How Dark Triads thrive on social media (and the “first-date test” that can save you heartbreak) • The telltale behaviors that reveal a Dark Triad in work, love, and online • The defense tactic Dark Triads use when caught in a lie • What the Light Triad looks like • Audience Q&A on the connection between happiness and intelligence and how to comfort aging parents You can take my Dark Triad quiz today to find out where you fall ⁠ We’d love to hear any feedback you have. Please email us at officehours@ . And please leave a review on Apple or Spotify. Thanks for listening! *Where to find Arthur Brooks:* • Website: • X: • Instagram: • Facebook: • YouTube: • LinkedIn: • Email: officehours@ *Timestamps* (00:00) Intro (02:04) What is the Dark Triad personality type? (06:09) How to take the Dark Triad test (06:37) Why Dark Triads are more common than you think (11:03) How to identify Dark Triad types (15:24) The five things Dark Triads do in the workplace (20:00) The five traits of Dark Triads in romantic relationships (28:11) How the Dark Triad shows up in politics and activism (32:11) Why social media is the perfect place for Dark Triads (34:34) The nine red flags that reveal a Dark Triad (37:05) DARVO: The defense Dark Triads use when caught (38:38) The light triad: What to look for instead (40:12) What’s the difference between joy and happiness? (42:35) What’s the connection between intelligence and happiness? (44:22) How do I comfort my ailing and aging parents about their imminent death? (46:30) Wrap up *Referenced:* • Leadership and Happiness course: • How to Build a Life: • The Happiness Files: Insights on Work and Life: • The Dark Triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy: • The Prince: • Take the Dark Triad Quiz: • Scott Barry Kaufman’s website: • The Psychology Podcast: • Dark Tetrad: • The Criminal Psychopath: History, Neuroscience, Treatment, And Economics: • A gender role view of the Dark Triad traits: • Occupational niches and the Dark Triad traits: • The Dark Triad of Personality at Work – why do organizations need to know about it?: • Dark Triad traits and relationship dissolution: • Political Hearts of Darkness: The Dark Triad as Predictors of Political Orientations and Interest in Politics: Production and marketing by ⁠ ⁠. Production provided by . For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email jordan@