The BBC considered personality traits common to successful dictators such as Idi Amin, Saddam Hussein and Caligula this week, interviewing US psychology professor Fred Coolidge, an expert who’s studied leaders including Saddam Hussein and Adolf Hitler.

Singling out sadism and narcissism as common characteristics, the University of Colorado professor said many autocrats also ‘have a tendency for paranoia’ which he said is one of the key requirements for long term success.

“Their traits can help keep them in power,” he suggested, “For example, if you are hypersensitive to threats and plots then you can effectively eliminate your [real or imagined] competition.” (BBC: http://bbc.in/JcDzT7 )

Quite how applicable his findings are for superstar DJs remains unclear, though the BBC report appeared just as Forbes published their annual ‘World’s Most Powerful Celebrities list’, which included for the first time Tiesto and Skrillex as well as proudly paranoid business guru Donald Trump.

While Skrillex made 92 on the list (off the back of reported earnings of US$15million) and Tiesto 84 (US$23million), Trump landed at 16, earning $63million from ventures including his TV show and new aftershave range ‘Success by Trump’. http://onforb.es/Kt5HR0

Success by Trump cologne; click to buy

Chatting about his business principles in his 2004 book ‘How to get Rich’ he admitted ‘I often say it’s good to be paranoid’ and emphasised the same point in a speech made four years later for ThinkBigSeminars.

“While it’s not pleasant to talk about by any means, it is a reality; people can be bad at heart,” he warned.

“Be very careful when you hire or place somebody in any sensitive position of trust. Rose-colored glasses while pretty can have harmful effects on our lives and businesses, be paranoid and careful when it comes to your assets,” he advised. (http://bit.ly/KHfSAj )

Jonty Skrufff: http://listn.to/JontySkrufff