Unpacking Narcissism: The Leaders Among Us

In what we hope is a thought-provoking episode, this week we delve into the world of the narcissism, especially in politics and organizations. We explore how narcissistic traits often permeate leadership roles, with the potential to impact organizations, societies, and global politics, not to mention having detrimental effects on individuals' wellbeing. Far from being a straightforward topic, we also see why some people in the public eye who may appear  to be narcissistic may in fact, not be. And as always, we look at where we might focus our intentions and prayers, both for narcissists themselves, and for those affected by toxic narcissism in organizations, at home and  in society more generally. Intention holding and prayers start at 23 minutes 45 seconds. Suggested Intention Focus for this week This week, as we reflect upon the damaging consequences of narcissism among political and organisational leaders, we suggest holding as our main intention: We will that there will be a movement of compassion among the leaders of all organisations and government worldwide, opening their hearts and minds to the responsibility of upholding the dignity and well-being of all the people they serve. Please join us in holding this. Mentioned in this episode: John Harden’s assessment of narcissistic traits seen among US Presidents: https://www.newsweek.com/most-narcissistic-presidents-modern-united-states-history-ranked-1743670 (original paper published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution Volume 67, Issue 5, September 2022, at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00220027221123757). Book: Dictator's Handbook: A Practical Manual for the Aspiring Tyrant, by Randall Wood and Carmine DeLuca. Amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Dictators-Handbook-Practical-Manual-Aspiring/dp/0615652425/ref=sr_1_10 (we do not recommend our listeners aspire to take its advice).  Our recent episode exploring polarisation and the authenticity crisis: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-67aav-18bf480 Chapter markers: 00:00:00            Introduction 00:01:23            Exploring Narcissism 00:02:46            Understanding Narcissism 00:06:43            Narcissism in Leadership 00:07:13            Political Narcissism 00:11:39            Consequences of Narcissistic Leadership 00:15:49            The Impact on Society 00:17:48            Historical Perspectives on Narcissism 00:21:22            Navigating Relationships with Narcissists 00:22:55            Intentions and Prayers for Change 00:26:46            Holding Compassionate Intentions 00:23:45            Intentions and Prayers Sources referenced in this episode: https://apn.com/resources/14-signs-youre-dealing-with-a-narcissist/ https://assets.cambridge.org/97811070/08724/frontmatter/9781107008724_frontmatter.pdf https://balancerehabclinic.com/ceos-and-narcissism/ https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joop.12555 https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2021/10/25/are-narcissistic-ceos-all-that-bad/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism https://fearlessculture.design/blog-posts/narcissistic-leaders-destroy-culture-from-within https://fortune.com/2024/05/23/ceo-narcissist-study-linkedin-profile/ https://journals.aom.org/doi/full/10.5465/AMBPP.2021.15212abstract https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13684302241240689?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.66 https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9742-narcissistic-personality-disorder https://neurosciencenews.com/dark-triad-politics-polarization-28648/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5437163/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8292742/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8722452/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8965281/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9301298/ https://thenextwavefutures.wordpress.com/2023/06/24/choose-narcissists-as-leaders-johnson-trump-democracy-generations/ https://www.britannica.com/science/narcissism https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00422/full https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.858779/full https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1579958/full https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1579958/pdf https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/personality-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder https://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/content/features/the-prevalence-of-narcissist-ceos/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/impact-narcissism-politics-lauro-amezcua-patino-3ekic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-024-03159-2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556001/ https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/what-is-narcissistic-personality-disorder https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/narcissism https://www.psypost.org/narcissism-may-be-fueling-political-polarization-according-to-new-psychology-research/ https://www.psypost.org/narcissistic-ceos-are-more-likely-to-fake-emotions-when-they-feel-lonely-study-finds/ https://www.psypost.org/psychology-study-indicates-that-narcissists-are-more-involved-in-politics-than-the-rest-of-us/ https://www.richtmann.org/journal/index.php/ajis/article/download/13053/12645/45971 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0090261621000437 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886920305080 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X22001051 https://www.strategicmanagement.net/publications-resources/strategic-management-explorer/understanding-how-ceo-narcissism-can-shape-risk-taking/ https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/narcissism-symptoms-signs Join us in person for intention holding:   https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls   https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.   Our websites:    www.heartfulimpact.com/   Our show website.   https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.   https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.   https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.   https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.   Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.   Our show content is hosted by Podbean and available from all major podcast platforms.   Our theme music is by Chris Collins. indiemusicbox.com.   Our logo artwork is by AltoClassic (Getty Images/istock).   Contact us via Facebook Messenger from the Impact! Facebook group, or using any of the contact methods mentioned on our websites.   Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.