Why I Researched Narcissistic Leadership and What Should Concern You

Years ago, I worked under someone named Pat (not the real name). Pat was always focused on what Pat wanted. But Pat also had a nasty habit of gunning for certain folks on our staff. One night while I was out on the town, I got into a conversation with someone who asked, “Eddie, what did you do to Pat??? They can’t stand you!”

Matter of factly and confused, I responded, “Nothing. What did I do?”

“No idea, bruh. Just watch your back,” he said.

Years later, I wound up working under other folks who behaved almost the exact same way. They made no secret that it was all about them and they had it in for specific people. I asked a colleague at one job about the behaviors and she simply said, “Ugh, narcissists.” I was intrigued. Intrigue turned into homework and homework turned into a grad school application to pursue a master’s degree in strategic leadership which turned into my final master’s paper on how narcissistic leadership affects followership. My research told me something very significant. First, it told me that I wasn’t the crazy one. Second, it showed me that narcissistic leadership is more than a sideshow, it’s a legitimate threat to followers’ sense of wellbeing.

Deconstructing Narcissism

When I researched narcissism, I learned about the Narcissism Spectrum Model. It considers three major narcissistic traits — self-importance, grandiosity and vulnerability. Self-importance, which comes…