Self absorbed, egotistical, power hungry, blind: all traits to describe narcissism. If you don't think you can still identify one, check out this helpful video on how to spot a narcissist!
For us, narcissism=bad, no second thought given. Let us consider this for a moment.
Would you consider this man a narcissist?
How about this one?
Or this one?
Surely not him?
or him? (on second thought...)
Incidentally, in normal conversation we wouldn't consider these guys narcissist would we? surely not with the word carrying so much negativity!
What is common to all the people pictured above is that they have acquired and maintained high leadership positions (perhaps except for Romney, but who knows?) They are respected and have a high following. They are charismatic and good orators. But if they had been lacking in "self love, "a belief in themselves"and and high degree of self motivation, would they have made it?
But is there such a thing called "healthy" narcissism?
Michael Maccoby says that "narcissists, one of the three personality types identified by Sigmund Freud, have often emerged to lead and inspire people in the military, religious and political arenas. Business, too, has had its share of narcissistic leaders, especially at times, like the early 20th century, 'when business became the engine of social change...(and) men like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford exploited new technologies and restructured American industry."
There are incredible cons, and inevitable cons, he says. They bring great vision, the ability to see the big picture, and the drive and opportunity to change the rules of the game. They are successful in attracting followers, skilled in presentation, speaking, and charismatic. On the other hand, narcissistic leaders can be poor listeners, sensitive to criticism, lacking in empathy and relentless and ruthless in their pursuit of success.
Researchers have qualified the term "adaptive narcissism" to describe people with a high degree of self-sufficience, and confidence. Those with adaptive narcissism, as compared to maladaptive narcissism, are better able to cope with anxiety, particularly in social contexts. They are successful in boosting their teams and classes. They help make sure that projects get done, contributing to the group effort, perhaps becoming a bit too assertive. Pathological narcissists, Yolanda Reid Chassiakos, says might exaggerate their efforts to invite praise and attention, but "healthy" narcissists would want to look good for himself/herself, and that modest confidence is contagiously attractive in both professional and personal spheres.
Having said that, narcissism is definitely a double-edge sword. It is easy to get self-absorbed in achieving what they think is the correct path. Maccoby says, narcissists CAN become productive leaders: only if they work on themselves, recognising their potential shortcomings and traps of their own personality. He advises narcissists to find a trusted sidekick (think Steve Ballmer to Bill Gates, Michelle Obama to Barack Obama), indoctrinate the organisation with your own values, or own products, (basically align own interests with organisation, or vice versa) and finally to get into analysis (this includes self reflection, psychoanalysis, therapy which helps in understanding why they do what they do, becoming more self-reflective, open, likable and good humored)
Narcissists tend to get promoted quickly, due to their charming character and their incredible commanding performances during crisis. However, once they get there, they have to perform. Leaders at the higher echelons of power, have to learn how to work together with people, listen to criticism and make the team motivated. If narcissistic traits could be identified early and blind ambition forgone, narcissistic "high achievers" can become quality leaders. Narcissists need to learn empathy, to work in teams, to align their own interests with the organisations.
Therefore, a degree of narcissism isn't necessarily a bad thing. I mean, who could be more narcissist than politicians on a campaign trail? Does THIS sound familiar?
But perhaps narcissism to THIS extent is bad.
Now that you know the pros and cons, will you take the test?
5 comments:
Great video and very good links on the topic in question.
I feel you dwelt too much on the academic/technical aspect of the topic. The application/outcome of narcissism is crucial in understanding the concept. The use of technical language gives the impression that you were unwilling or unable to be introspective about your own narcissism. Let's be honest, there's a trace amount in everyone's personality.
You have cited male leaders when describing narcissists. There was ample opportunity to discuss the gender aspect and the possible internal bias we hold when discussing this topic. The feminist interpretation would have provided insight into ideas of narcissism, which is not found through the numerous links you posted or the research we have undertaken in class. You mentioned that narcissists are promoted ahead of others, an insight from your own organization would add value to the discussion. I enjoyed the video and the humorous tone of the writing.
This is a very interesting post! Since we covered negative sides of narcissist more in class, I found this is very interesting that you mentioned "healthy narcissism", because it actually makes a lot of sense when we think of good leaders. I only thought the negative side when I heard the word narcissism, I did not expect narcissism actually affected to leaders in a positive way (it is hard to say it is always good to be a narcissist, but at least it brings chances to leaders to be more passionate about being a leader, i think).
I think myself also have some kinds of narcissism but the thing is I am rarely aware of the impact (bad or good) of being myself narcissist so that I cannot use that in a constructive way. I think I should think about narcissism more deeply and try to apply that to my leadership skills in a healthy way.
This post contains both academic and enjoyable factors.I enjoyed your video clip, articles, and pictures that you linked. I appreciate that you make me think of a very important point for being a leader.
Midhfa, I really enjoyed reading your post as narcissism in the campaign trail seems to be such a relevant topic in the news this past week following Romney's comments.
Politics aside, I found it useful that you chose to focus on the pitfalls of narcissism and ways to avoid it as they shed new light into even more reasons to avoid narcissism in our leadership endeavors.
I also find it hard to believe that as leaders a small dose of narcissism can have its benefits. Having read Michael Maccob's book "The Productive Narcissist," I find it hard to believe that some of the leaders we look up to today such as Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, and Oprah can excel in leadership because they have the narcissist gene. If I remember correctly, one of the terms that Maccob used in this book was "strategic intelligence" and that leaders who are narcissist are highly likely to have developed this trait. I believe that if these leaders were narcissists they would not be able to get to far due to the pitfalls of narcissism. That is, regardless of their ability to have a good vision of what they want their organization to accomplish, or what he refers to as "strategic intelligence," they would have a hard time leading others to help them realize their vision because their narcissism would be in the way. In other words, their narcissism would lead to roadblocks and not bridges in their leadership endeavors.
I did not find "The Productive Narcissist" a convincing leadership how-to-manual because I believe there are many dangers when we rationalize that narcissism is good when we know it can lead to damages to individuals, organizations, and most importantly ourselves. Several of our class readings, group simulations, and lectures seem to support this view that narcissism does more harm than good.
Even Maccob explains in his Harvard Business Review article Narcissist Leaders that "even productive narcissists can be dangerous for organizations."
I believe that as leaders, it is best to avoid narcissism altogether by increasing our knowledge of the pitfalls, avoiding "grandissement", and strive to increase our self-awareness in leadership in order to shift our actions and focus when we are succumbing to the enticings of narcissism. What do you think?
Midhfa, I really enjoyed reading your post as narcissism in the campaign trail seems to be such a relevant topic in the news this past week following Romney's comments.
Politics aside, I found it useful that you chose to focus on the pitfalls of narcissism and ways to avoid it as they shed new light into even more reasons to avoid narcissism in our leadership endeavors.
I find it hard to believe that as leaders a small dose of narcissism can have its benefits. Having read Michael Maccob's book "The Productive Narcissist," I find it hard to believe that some of the leaders we look up to today such as Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, and Oprah can excel in leadership because they have the narcissist gene. If I remember correctly, one of the terms that Maccob used in this book was "strategic intelligence" and that leaders who are narcissist are highly likely to have developed this trait. I believe that if these leaders were narcissists they would not be able to get to far due to the pitfalls of narcissism. That is, regardless of their ability to have a good vision of what they want their organization to accomplish, or what he refers to as "strategic intelligence," they would have a hard time leading others to help them realize their vision because their narcissism would be in the way. In other words, their narcissism would lead to roadblocks and not bridges in their leadership endeavors.
I did not find "The Productive Narcissist" a convincing leadership how-to-manual because I believe there are many dangers when we rationalize that narcissism is good when we know it can lead to damages to individuals, organizations, and most importantly ourselves. Several of our class readings, group simulations, and lectures seem to support this view that narcissism does more harm than good.
Even Maccob explains in his Harvard Business Review article Narcissist Leaders that "even productive narcissists can be dangerous for organizations."
I believe that as leaders, it is best to avoid narcissism altogether by increasing our knowledge of the pitfalls, avoiding "grandissement", and strive to increase our self-awareness in leadership in order to shift our actions and focus when we are succumbing to the enticings of narcissism. What do you think?
Well done Island Girl!
I like how you discussed more of the positive aspects of narcissism and how this quality may be essential in cultivating a good leader. I think most people think narcissists are only out there for themselves, but I think most narcissistic leaders genuinely strive to help ordinary people or have higher goals that pure personal aggrandizement.
I dared to click the links at the bottom of your post and though I may not be a pure narcissist, I definitely have many of the qualities which make a narcissist.
I love myself and I think others love me too. I try not to get so self-absorbed but it is difficult. I like what you said about Balmer and Michelle Obama because I feel I always need friends or girlfriends to slap be down and bring me back to reality.
Thanks for the post!
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