Meet the world's first corporate psychopath: Scientists say 17th century mutinous merchant Jeronimus Cornelisz fits the bill

A merchant who oversaw the murders of 100 men, women and children after a shipwreck 400 years ago may have been the world's first corporate psychopath, scientists say.New research suggests that Jeronimus Cornelisz, an official with the Dutch East India Company, displayed all the traits associated with modern psychopathic executives.He was aboard the Batavia when it struck reefs off the coast of Western Australia and sank in 1629.About 200 survivors were left stranded across a group of remote islands – but around half were later murdered during a bloody mutiny orchestrated by Cornelisz, who seized power after the disaster.Scientists have now assessed his behaviour using a modern corporate psychopathy framework.And they found the merchant displayed all ten of the core characteristics associated with toxic business leaders.'What makes this case remarkable is that when we analysed Cornelisz using a modern management psychopathy framework, he displayed every major characteristic associated with corporate psychopaths,' Dr Clive Boddy, associate professor of management at Anglia Ruskin University said.'The same playbook we see in toxic workplaces today appears in this case from 1629. He removed opponents, rewarded loyalists, created fear, manipulated followers and pursued power at any cost.' About 200 survivors were left stranded across a group of remote islands – but around half were later murdered during a bloody mutiny orchestrated by Cornelisz. Pictured: A sketch of the fallout Scientists have discovered Cornelisz displayed all ten of the core characteristics associated with toxic business leaders. Pictured: A man plays Cornelisz in a production of the Australian ballet BataviaThe researchers said corporate psychopaths often rely on charisma and manipulation to gain influence, while surrounding themselves with loyal allies and sidelining potential challengers.They also tend to create a climate of fear, avoid responsibility for failures and pursue power and personal gain at any cost.Following the shipwreck, Cornelisz became the most senior corporate figure remaining among the survivors.In the study, Dr Boddy explains how he quickly consolidated power by replacing council members with loyal supporters, requiring personal oaths of allegiance and isolating potential opponents.Under his leadership around 100 men, women and children were murdered, while some women were subjected to sexual violence.The killings were justified by Cornelisz as a means of conserving food and water supplies, but the murders also removed his perceived rivals. Cornelisz was aboard the Batavia when it struck reefs off the coast of Western Australia and sank in 1629 (artist's impression) 10 characteristics of corporate psychopaths Uses charm to win trust and influence othersBuilds a loyal inner circle of supportersRemoves or sidelines potential challengersEncourages divisions between rivals to maintain controlCreates a climate of fear and intimidationManipulates followers for personal gainRewards loyalists while punishing opponentsAvoids responsibility when things go wrongSeeks power, wealth and control above all elseLacks ethical restraint in pursuing personal ambitions Meanwhile, a group of survivors stranded by Cornelisz on a different island was led by a leader named Wiebbe Hayes.Hayes organised thorough hunts for fresh water and sustenance, and these searches found two freshwater wells, seabird eggs for food, as well as plentiful fish, wallabies and seals for meat.'Perhaps the most striking finding is that another leader facing the same circumstances achieved completely different outcomes,' Dr Boddy explained.'Wiebbe Hayes built cooperation, discovered new resources and kept people alive.'This was effectively a natural experiment in leadership. One group prospered while the other descended into murder and abuse.'The Dutch East India Company is widely regarded as the world's first multinational corporation and helped establish one of the earliest stock exchanges in Amsterdam in 1602.According to the researchers, the case of Jeronimus Cornelisz suggests that people driven by ambition, wealth and personal power were being drawn to major commercial ventures from the very beginnings of modern capitalism.The researchers concluded: 'Corporate psychopaths are found to exhibit a common modus operandi involving the establishment of control, a cowed workforce, and the formation of a climate of fear, marked by abuse, bullying and yelling.'Cornelisz exhibited all of these in extremity.'Cornelisz also utilised the tactics and strategies that are still used by corporate psychopaths, including presenting a grandiose image, replacing boards of directors with personal appointees, using divide and conquer techniques to divide and confuse potential opposition and using fear and dark humour as a means of control.'The study argues that corporate psychopaths continue to pose a significant challenge for modern organisations, linking psychopathic leadership to workplace bullying, harassment, reduced employee wellbeing, higher staff turnover and organisational failure.The team said their findings, published in the Asian Journal of Business Ethics, reinforce calls for employers to place greater emphasis on character, ethics and values when selecting senior leaders.