Throughout Series Four of Burnout to Brilliance, we've been exploring some of the less visible contributors to burnout. We've looked beyond workload to consider the influence of trauma, nervous system regulation, adverse childhood experiences and narcissistic relationship dynamics.
In this episode, we continue that conversation by exploring another fascinating, and often misunderstood, psychological concept: the Dark Triad.
Joined by business psychologist and therapist Dannielle Haig, we unpack the three personality traits that make up the Dark Triad: narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy. We explore how these traits can quietly shape workplace cultures, leadership behaviours and the psychological wellbeing of the people around them.
Importantly, this is not a conversation about labelling people or encouraging armchair diagnosis.
Instead, it is a thoughtful exploration of why certain personality patterns emerge, how they influence organisations, and why prolonged exposure to relational unpredictability can leave even highly capable people feeling emotionally exhausted, hypervigilant and, ultimately, burnt out.
In this episode we explore:
- What psychologists mean by the Dark Triad
- The differences between narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy
- Why these personality traits often overlap
- How childhood experiences and early environments may contribute to personality development
- Why some leaders rise rapidly despite leaving psychological damage behind them
- The relationship between power, charisma and organisational success
- How chronic relational uncertainty creates emotional hypervigilance
- Why burnout is often driven by relationships rather than workload alone
- Why high-performing professionals frequently over-adapt around toxic leadership
- The importance of psychological safety, recovery and supportive relationships in protecting against burnout
Constant Emotional Calculation is Exhausting...
One of the greatest drains on our energy when working with controlling leaders is the constant emotional calculation involved.
As Dannielle explains, our brains are wired to seek safety through predictability.
When we're continually walking on eggshells, second-guessing reactions, managing moods or anticipating the next unexpected interaction, our nervous systems rarely get the opportunity to settle.
Over time, heightened emotional hypervigilance becomes exhausting.
It slowly consumes the very cognitive, emotional and relational resources we rely upon to stay well.
This conversation reinforces how burnout can arise because of walking on eggshells for too long within environments and relationships that don’t feel psychologically safe.
About Dannielle Haig
Dannielle Haig is a Business Psychologist, Therapist and Executive Coach whose work explores the intersection between personality, leadership and organisational psychology.
Drawing together research from psychology, neuroscience and business, she works with organisations and senior leaders to better understand complex personality dynamics in the workplace, helping teams navigate the challenges that can arise when high-performing individuals also display darker personality traits.
Her research spans the neuroscience of personality, psychometric assessment and organisational behaviour, alongside a professional doctorate exploring female resilience in high-pressure, male-dominated environments.
Resources mentioned during the conversation
- The Prince - Niccolò Machiavelli
- Stop Walking on Eggshells - Paul Mason & Randi Kreger
- Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle - Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski
- Research by Professor Adrian Furnham on workplace derailers
Connect with Dannielle Haig
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannielle-haig/
Connect with Jayne Morris MCC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaynemorrismcc/
Continue the conversation
If this episode resonated with you, you may also enjoy:
- Narcissism and Burnout with Kathleen Saxton
- Adverse Childhood Experiences and Burnout with Linda Lewis
- Trauma, the Nervous System and Burnout with Dr Susanna Petche
Together, these conversations build a broader understanding of how our relationships, environments and nervous systems shape our capacity to thrive.
About Jayne Morris
Jayne Morris MCC is one of the UK's leading Executive Burnout Coaches and founder of Balanceology.
She works with senior leaders, organisations and coaches to understand burnout through a whole-person lens, combining coaching psychology, neuroscience, nervous system regulation and relational awareness to help people move beyond survival towards sustainable success.
Jayne is the author of Burnout to Brilliance: Strategies for Sustainable Success and host of the Burnout to Brilliance podcast.
Connect with Jayne Morris MCC
The UK’s leading executive burnout coach & author of Burnout to Brilliance
LinkedIn: @jaynemorrisMCC
Burnout to Brilliance on Amazon
Follow Balanceology
LinkedIn: @Balanceology
Website: www.balanceology.uk
About Balanceology
Balanceology is a leading coaching organisation dedicated to preventing workplace burnout and restoring sustainable success. Through talks, workshops, trainings, coaching and retreats, Balanceology supports individuals and organisations to work well, live fully, and thrive.
The Balanceology Certified Burnout Coach CPD Training is ICF accredited and carries 64 CCEUs
