Beware the politically skilled maverick : political skill interacts with maverickism to predict unethical decision-making

Purpose: Across two studies, the current research investigates whether individuals high in maverickism, which incorporates tendencies of creativity, risk-taking, goal-orientation and disruption are likely to make poorer ethical decisions and whether political skill promotes or hinders good ethical judgment. Design/methodology/approach: Participants completed an online questionnaire and an ethical dilemma. Findings: Results with UK (Study 1,N = 300) and Australian workers (Study 2,N = 217) revealed that political skill significantly moderated the maverickism-unethical decision-making relationship. Unethical decision-making was highest for those high in maverickism and political skill. Research limitations/implications: Results highlight that for individuals high in maverickism, political skill facilitates rather than reduces the breaching of ethical norms. Practical implications: Results show that while political skill has traditionally been seen as adaptive in organizations, being politically skilled can contribute to engaging in unethical behavior. Originality/value: This research provides a new and interesting view of how being politically skilled can negatively impact ethical behavior and identifies another individual difference variable, maverickism, which predicts unethical behavior.