Cloaks, Daggers & Derailers: What The Traitors Teaches Us About Personality Under Pressure

If like me you have been gripped by The Celebrity Traitors, from Alan Carrs witty one-liners to Celia Imrie’s perfectly timed fart. You may also be fascinated by the personality dynamics at play.  

As someone who works with the Hogan Development Survey (HDS), I couldn’t help but realise how the show is a perfect masterclass in derailer behaviours. Traits that can be strengths under pressure, but can become risks when overplayed.

Mischievous – Our very own Traitors Alan Carr and Jonathon Ross embody this derailer. Jonathan’s Machiavellian tendencies nearly got him discovered early on after saying about forming an alliance with Niko Omilana, Ruth Codd and Clare Balding. Alan Carr exudes charm to build relationships with the other contestants, often bending the truth and clearly enjoying the thrill of deception.

Sceptical – Is the perfect derailer to have to be a good Faithful, both Ruth Codd and Joe Marler are insightful about the politics of the group, spotting inconsistencies, being vocal in their doubt of others’ and mistrusting others intentions. Ruth rightly campaigned that Jonathan Ross was a Traitor and Joe now following with these accusations.

Bold – Jonathan Ross’s confidence and assertiveness have helped him take the lead in group discussions, often steering the narrative. However, his tendency to overestimate his ability became apparent when he attempted a risky double bluff, a move that nearly backfired and made him a major target at the round table. It’s a classic example of how Boldness, when overplayed, can tip into negative exposure.

Dutiful –This trait may be hindering decisive action around the round table. Celebrities like Lucy Beaumont, and Kate Garraway come across as agreeable and collaborative;  great team players, but less likely to challenge the group. Under pressure, Kate in particular seems easily influenced by more dominant voices and reluctant to assert her own views.

Excitable – Mark Bonnar’s enthusiasm for the missions and his passion for unmasking the Traitors has made him a joy to watch. But as the tension builds, his emotional reactions are becoming more intense even explosive and to others, erratic. It’s a great example of how this derailer, when overplayed, can shift from energising to unsettling.

The traitors is a brilliant reminder that derailers aren’t “bad” traits but often the flipside of our strengths. It’s how we manage them that matters.

As the series continues I am excited to see if more derailers start to surface especially in my personal favourite Stephen Fry, who has so far come across as calm, steady and reliable. I’d love to see more of him as the pressure builds!

Curious how these traits show up in your team (hopefully with fewer cloaks and daggers)? Let’s talk psychometrics. Get in touch!