Narcissism in Leadership: From Charisma to Risk

Narcissism in Leadership: A Double-Edged Sword

Narcissism is common in management—and it comes with two faces. Charismatic, visionary narcissists can drive innovation. But excessive self-love may undermine trust, derail teams, and push companies into reckless decisions.

Positive Side: Drive and Charisma

In moderation, narcissism fuels confidence, ambition, and persuasion. These traits help leaders mobilize people, make bold calls, and create momentum. This is why many narcissists appear as “natural leaders.”

Dark Side: Manipulation and Risk

Problems arise when self-interest dominates. Narcissistic managers claim team success as their own, shift blame, and rarely support others. Research shows that the higher the hierarchy, the more common strong narcissistic patterns become.

How Assessments Can Help

Clinical tests often fail in business settings. More effective are occupational assessments and 360° feedbacks, which measure empathy, risk appetite, and communication style. These tools reveal narcissistic tendencies and help organizations mitigate risks early.

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Conclusion

Narcissism is not always destructive. In small doses, it can fuel innovation and decisiveness. But organizations must recognize when charisma turns into paranoia—and apply diagnostics to protect their teams.