Sociopaths, Apaths, & Empath Dynamic In Our Industry

Empaths use their ability to emphasise and to boost theirs and others’ wellbeing and safety. Problems arise for empaths, however, when there are apaths in the vicinity. Empaths can be brought down, distressed and forced into the position of the lone fighter by the inaction of more apathetic types round them.

THE SOCIOPATHIC TRANSACTION

Often empaths are targeted by sociopaths because they pose the greatest threat. The empath is usually the first to detect that something is not right and express what s/he senses. As a consequence, the empath is both the sociopath’s number one foe and a source of attraction; the empath’s responses and actions provide excellent entertainment for sociopaths, who use and abuse people for sport.
The world of the empath is not for the faint-hearted. In the context we are discussing, empaths often find themselves up against not only the sociopath but often a flock of apaths as well. Apaths are afforded pole position in the sociopath’s intrigues. But this prime spot comes at a price for, in what we call the “sociopathic transaction”, the apath makes an unspoken Faustian pact with the sociopath, then passively or otherwise participates in the cruel sport.

 

SOCIOPATH-EMPATH-APATH TRIAD

The usual set-up goes like this: the empath is forced to make a stand on seeing the sociopath say or do something underhand. The empath challenges the sociopath, who straight away throws others off the scent and shifts the blame on to the empath. The empath becomes an object of abuse when the apath corroborates the sociopath’s perspective.

The situation usually ends badly for the empath and sometimes also for the apath, if their conscience returns to haunt them or they later become an object of abuse themselves. But, frustratingly, the sociopath often goes scot free.

Sociopaths rarely vary this tried-and-tested formula because it virtually guarantees them success.
Sociopaths draw in apaths by various means: flattery, bribery, disorienting them with lies. A sociopath will go to any lengths to win her game. The best way to illustrate the interplay, and the ease with which apaths are pulled in, is by another short story.

 

‘Steve and Robin’ were microbiologists at a prestigious university, collaborating on an important vaccine trial. The department head, Ben, hoped to gain substantially; success could see his status in his field rise and prove the catalyst for a glittering career.

His colleagues worked relentlessly collecting data, then Ben drafted a paper for submission to a respected journal. He decided that the outcome didn’t look tantalising, so falsified key results in order to present findings in the best light. On completing the draft, he sent the paper for comment to his colleagues. Steve replied by email that he was happy with the manuscript; he used the opportunity to suck up to his boss. But Robin was aghast, noting colossal errors. With great urgency, he rattled off an email to Ben.

Receiving no response to this or a phone call, Robin went to find Ben in person, discovering him in the cafeteria with Steve. But he was too late. Ben had poisoned Steve’s mind, saying that Robin had challenged him over the accuracy of the results, due to a longstanding grudge. Ben said he had to pull Robin up about his own work several months back. Steve was different, Ben implied. He intimated Steve would be on course for promotion “especially if we get this paper out and secure funding for the next-stage trials”.

By the time Ben joined them, Steve, though initially shocked, had been won over by Ben’s swift flattery and insinuations

Robin crossed the cafeteria to them. “Hi, you two got a moment?” Briefly there was an awkward silence. Steve exchanged a look with Ben, who gave a slight conspiratorial smile, now that the transaction was done and the sport under way. “Yes, we were just talking about the paper. By the way, I did see your email, but if you look at the paper thoroughly, I think you’ll find that everything is correct.” Steve replied with a smug look that “I’m with Ben on this one”. Robin was floored. “You can’t be serious? You’re happy for it to go off to be reviewed with all these serious errors? Our reputations will be left in ruins.”

He decided to make a stand. He asked for his name to be removed as a co-author but was exasperated to learn that it was sent off to the journal anyway. More frustratingly, it was published. Meanwhile, the workplace became a source of stress for Robin as he struggled to cope with the backlash from colleagues who saw his intervention as an attempt to sabotage their work. People avoided him and, when they did talk to him, the conversation was stilted.

Eventually Robin arranged a meeting with Ben to have it out once and for all. But Ben took control of the agenda. “Robin, I have to be honest with you, many of your colleagues are unhappy about the way you handled things and some have made complaints. They don’t trust you to conduct yourself professionally after you attempted to sabotage their hard work. Mercifully the reviewers saw what a fine trial we’d conducted and didn’t get wind of your attempted slur.

“We can’t afford to have a saboteur on the team. So I’ve discussed this with the dean and he agrees there is no future for you here, and there’s no other way to deal with this. You’ve got to go.” Any phase of this story sound familiar?

 

I'm sure you will get attacked by our leadership in denial, but this is spot on. All too familiar. We are led by sociopathic mother fuckers who encourage this behavior.

--a (male) friend of the paranoid high school girls

 

Like a recipe

This happened to me, and I was cooked

 

Yes, and the only innocent party was the one who was distrusted by everyone and their career was toasted...at least for a short period following if not there entire career. This being in a poor economy as well.

 

Their not there... Of course

 

I heard a manager refer to the "empath" type to be the troublemakers. He never actually said or used the word empath, but what he described pretty much fit the description above. He said like termites, they must be exterminated. I love those that are morally bankrupt. They keep me entertained with their underhanded drama when I become bored with this job.

 

The Otsuka Cafe Pharma board is by far the most entertaining of any company I have ever worked for.

 

What? Seriously? English please?

 

You forgot to post the ending. It goes something like this:
Then Steve decided to turn in Ben to the regulatory authorities and the journal publication accusing him of falsifying data from a clinical trial. Ben got fired and never worked in the industry again, the company that Ben worked had to pay a large fine after acknowledging the falsification of data, and tarnished its reputation. Steve was investigated and found to be a conspiratorial collaborator with Ben and also lost his job. Robin unfortunately had been conveniently let go from the company as part of Ben's evil deeds, but was able to land another job, with a better company culture and proceeded to have a long and prosperous career. THE END.

 

Yes, I have worked with bad people too. They lie to cover up their own bad mistakes but talk about how other people do bad to them. Innocent people get blamed for mistakes or bad behavior of jerks. Is that the point?

 

That's in a very idealist world. Most times it's not as easy as it seems to go up against the status quo. It's all about connections and whose protecting you. If Ben or Steve had those relationships, they would be very well insulated from trouble. It's all about who you know and nothing is usually as it first appears. These slights happen all of the time and many times and nothing is done.

 

What do you expect from someone who wants to be a DM? We all know it the worst job in the industry. Hourly wage is far less than a rep. The managers here are simply a product of big pharma. Big pharma reach and frequency ideas basically ruined this industry. Managers still kiss up to their bosses and pretend like the reps actually follow their direction. ANYONE who aspires to be a DM has to put their family on the back burner and look for gratification elsewhere. They have no hope of a family life. I feel sorry for them. Not.

 

As we speak, "who you know" isn't helping Boehringer Ingleheim who is being accused of omitting relevant clinical data from trials around Pradaxa that were studied showing that INR testing of patients on Pradaxa showed a 40% reduction in bleeding events. Why is your theory not working for BI.

 

Purely because it's still on a case by case basis. I have not researched BIs case. Those that are being taken down at BI probably are either no longer insulated or were not insulted to begin with and it was their time to take the fall. They were not needed as pawns in the game. We are all having to play the game and we think that we have some autonomy, but there is always someone higher that has the power to ensure that regulatory authorities will "let it ride" so to speak. Sociopaths will dance in lock step with other sociopaths. You piss the wrong one off, they'll allow you to be responsible for your actions and you will go down and this is after a long succession of scenerios where one had been insulted. All I can say is that those going down at BI are no longer in the club for whatever reason.

 

You sure do make alot of assumptions (that you don't think others should make) about things you admit you know nothing about: like BI's current problems. You couldn't get past the first page of cafepharma without knowing about the just recent issues at BI with the FDA. So that doesn't say much about your industry knowledge. BTW, blowing the whistle is pretty evenly spread btw lower & higher level employees. Who do you think caused the 3.4 billion dollar payout to the DOJ from Pfizer. How many others big pharma have followed suit. Your theories are no more accurate than anyone else's about how sociopathic lowlife's cause their demise. There will never be enough worthless people in the world to cover for them. And if we ever get to the point that there are........we are doomed. The cream will always rise to the top. Believe.

 

I said that I haven't researched BIs case. I didn't say that I "know nothing about it" as you so apply have stated...a bit of a straw-man move on your behalf. I was simply stating an observation. I never contested any "theories"; however that appears to be what you are doing.
You could read all day for weeks and not know every detail of all pharma violations or whistle blower cases or reporting. I have much industry experience in pharma as well as device and healthcare. I know what I have seen and experienced just like many who are seeking information and or opinions from this thread. Sometimes black is literally black and white is literally white. Unfortunately, there are those who are manipulative enough to make white appear black and black appear white. These are the instances that I'm speaking of here. Cream rises to the top, but little brown objects float to the top of a punch bowl as well.

 

...and those little brown objects are not sweet little candy bars either.

 

You may want to take a moment to re-read one of your posts so you can remember what you previously said. Conveniently posted with comments for your pleasure.

Purely because it's still on a case by case basis. I have not researched BIs case. Those that are BEING TAKEN DOWN at BI PROBABLY are either no longer insulated or were not insulted to begin with and it was their time to take the fall. (You seem emphatic not to believe a Robin could have taken them down).
They were not needed as pawns in the game. We are ALL HAVING TO PLAY THE GAME (so you assume that everyone is bad and will resort to deviant behavior) and we think that we have some autonomy, but there is ALWAYS SOMEONE HIGHER that has the power to ensure that regulatory authorities will "let it ride" so to speak. (not the case with most whistleblower lawsuits against the big pharma's who have paid fines for illegal activity....those were sales reps. in most cases).
Sociopaths will dance in lock step with other sociopaths. You piss the wrong one off, they'll allow you to be responsible for your actions and you will go down and this is after a long succession of scenerios where one had been insulted. All I can say is that those going down at BI are no longer in the club for whatever reason (how would you know if you have not researched the case). Check