Individuals high in Machiavellianism believe that:

Individuals high in Machiavellianism believe that the means justify the ends, emphasizing a pragmatic and often manipulative approach to achieving their goals. This perspective suggests that achieving a desired outcome is paramount, even if it requires unethical or deceptive tactics. Such individuals may prioritize their self-interest and use any means necessary, including manipulation and exploitation, to influence others and reach their objectives. This mindset is characterized by a cynical view of human nature, where the individual assumes that people are inherently self-serving and that moral considerations can be set aside if the ultimate goal is seen as worthwhile.

The other options reflect contrasting approaches to ethics and leadership. For instance, prioritizing collaboration and fostering empathy or nurturing qualities in leadership align more with cooperative and ethical frameworks. Therefore, individuals high in Machiavellianism diverge significantly from these perspectives, focusing instead on results over the processes that might involve collaborative or ethical considerations.