This paper concerns critical work behaviors for leaders across the globe and how scores on dark side personality measures predict those behaviors. Using a global archive of job analytic data, we first identify the work behaviors most critical for performance in managerial jobs across organisations, industry sectors, and countries. Next, we identify criterion‐related validation research studies including dark side personality measures and performance ratings for at least one of these critical work behaviors. Based on meta‐analytic results, we examine relations between scores on dark side personality measures and critical leader work behaviors. Also, we examine evidence of potential moderators of these relationships. Finally, we consider the implications of our results for I/O professionals engaged in using personality assessment for leadership development and executive coaching.