Machiavellianism is a personality trait characterized by manipulativeness, deceitfulness, high levels of self-interest, and a tendency to see other people as means to an end. People who display especially elevated levels of Machiavellianism—referred to by some psychologists as “high-Machs”—lack empathy and take a cynical, unemotional view of the world; their primary interests center on power and status, and they’ll do whatever is necessary to achieve their goals .
How Machiavellianism Erodes Self-Worth
Machiavellianism frequently attacks the foundation of how we see ourselves. The relationship between machiavellianism and self-worth is often deeply entangled.
Common ways machiavellianism damages self-worth:
- Negative core beliefs: "Machiavellianism means I'm broken/weak/unlovable"
- Comparison thinking: measuring yourself against others who don't struggle
- Internalized shame: believing machiavellianism is your fault
- Achievement avoidance: not trying to avoid confirming negative beliefs
- People-pleasing: seeking external validation to compensate
Separating Identity from Machiavellianism
One of the most powerful shifts in recovering self-worth while managing machiavellianism is learning to separate who you are from what you experience:
- Machiavellianism is something you have, not something you are
- Your worth is not determined by your symptoms or struggles
- Many people with machiavellianism lead deeply meaningful, connected lives
- Struggles often build unique strengths: empathy, resilience, insight
Evidence-Based Approaches
Self-Compassion Practice (Kristin Neff):
- Acknowledge your suffering without judgment
- Remember suffering is a shared human experience
- Offer yourself the same kindness you'd give a friend
Values-Based Identity:
- Identify your core values independent of machiavellianism
- Act in alignment with values even when machiavellianism is present
- Let values-driven actions build evidence of your worth
Recovery Path
- Therapy (especially schema therapy or ACT) targets core beliefs
- Journaling: document evidence against negative self-beliefs
- Celebrate small wins that challenge "I can't" narratives
- Surround yourself with people who see your full worth