What is Narcissistic Leadership?

Narcissistic leadership is the act of leadership characterized by self-centeredness. These kinds of leaders exhibit an inflated sense of one’s importance and an extreme need for praise and power. Moreover, narcissistic leaders are arrogant, dominant and aggressive, prioritizing their own interest instead of the organization’s.

Importance of Narcissistic Leadership

While narcissistic leaders bring innovation by looking ahead and creating bold and comprehensive visions, they produce a toxic work environment which brings about fear, low morale, and a marked turnover rate. Organizations need to implement controls or strategies to curb negative impacts of such leadership.

What to consider when evaluating narcissistic leaders?

Organizations should consider the following when evaluating narcissistic leaders:

• Team Culture: Evaluate how the actions of the leader impact the team’s morale and teamwork.
• Decision-Making: Determine whether the leader is always open to receiving feedback or just dismisses the opposing perspective.
• Touted Only Through a Long-Range View: Determine whether the leader can actually continue to perform well by continuing to be friendly and courteous with employees and other constituents over the long term.

How to handle narcissistic leadership at the workplace?

Organizations can do the following to manage narcissistic leaders effectively:

• Establish clear communication channels that encourage feedback
• Create a culture of accountability where everyone can voice their concerns
• Provide emotional intelligence and empathy training for the leaders so they can recognize the impact their behavior has on the people around them.

FAQs

What are the characteristics of narcissistic leaders?

Narcissistic leaders are usually overconfident, lacking empathy, sensitive to criticism, and surround themselves with “yes-men.” Their needs usually outweigh the demands of their teams or organizations.

Can narcissistic leaders be sometimes effective?

Yes, narcissistic leaders are certainly helpful in the time of crisis or when bold vision and risk-taking is required. However, the effectiveness, if any, of such a leader is short-lived as it doesn’t last long. They fail to develop sustainable relationships with the team and cannot last for long term.