To explore the existence of a relationship between the school principal's perceived level of stress and his or her machiavellian behavior, principals of francophone secondary schools from Ontario and Quebec were asked to complete the Administrative Stress Index and the Machiavellian Scale Attitude Inventory. Of the 83 principals asked to participate, 58 responded. The results indicated the existence of a relationship between machiavellian behavior and stress factors related to task and management. It appears that the more pronounced the principal's machiavellian behavior (a management style characterized by extreme competitiveness and a need to dominate others), the more stress is felt in the highly structured areas of his or her work environment. A significant dependent relationship between machiavellian behavior and stress factors relating to role and conflict did not exist. Perhaps, because greater maneuverability is possible in these areas, this type of environment is preferred by people who display machiavellian management characteristics. (45 references) (KM)