Narcissists are attracted to leadership roles because it gives them opportunities to gain power, recognition and control.
They view leadership as a platform to express themselves and achieve status.
The hallmarks of a narcissistic person are that they manipulate and exploit others. It is all about them and they often consider themselves to be better than everyone else.
“These leaders also have a tendency to overestimate their own abilities and often take risks based on this belief,” explains Professor Robert Buch from OsloMet.
He is responsible for a new study on how narcissistic leaders affect employees and organisations.
He conducted the study together with Geir Thompson from NLA University College, Keith Campbell from the University of Georgia in the USA and Lars Glasø from the Norwegian School of Management BI.
About the study
The researchers used questionnaires as part of the research method. Each questionnaire contained different scales to measure narcissism, among other things.
Here are 6 of the 18 statements from the abridged version of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), which is commonly used in research, based on adaptations from Raskin and Terry (1988).
Participants rate how much they agree with each statement using a scale from 1 (completely disagree) to 7 (completely agree).
- I think I am a special person.
- I know that I am good because everybody keeps telling me so.
- I like to be the center of attention.
- I have a natural talent for influencing people.
- I am an extraordinary person.
- I find it easy to manipulate people.
Creating a toxic work culture
Narcissistic leaders can create a toxic work culture characterised by uncertainty.
They often prioritise their own gains ahead of the needs of the organisation and may make decisions that damage the organisation over time.
This can lead to conflicts, a poor working environment and short-sighted decisions.
“They often struggle to understand or care about the feelings and opinions of others, which can make them difficult to work for,” says Robert Buch.
He and his colleagues examined whether it is possible to positively utilise narcissism in the workplace and whether it can have any real benefits.
The study involved 238 managers and 1531 employees from various Norwegian organisations.
The research shows that the answer might be yes, subject to certain conditions.
Narcissistic leaders are often charismatic, which makes it easy for them to motivate employees when it comes to projects.– Robert Buch
May inspire others
The professor says that it is about channeling the person’s energy in a constructive manner.
There can be positive aspects associated with narcissism, provided that it is combined with political skills and social intelligence, such as the ability to understand how people think and how relationships work, formally and informally.
“A narcissistic leader with excellent self-insight can also use their drive to motivate employees.
You need to understand what motivates others and how you can get others to work together towards a shared goal.”
One solution is leadership training
Buch says that it can be challenging to get narcissistic leaders to see the value in developing political skills, but that it is not impossible. They will rarely confess to having any shortcomings.
One strategy can be to use their desire to succeed as a motivating factor.
For example, it is possible to offer leadership training that shows how social understanding and strategic skills can strengthen their own position and performance.
Tailoring leadership training to meet the needs of narcissistic leaders is one solution.
“When they see that increased self-insight and better understanding of the needs of others will strengthen their own position, they become more receptive to change,” he explains.
Less destructive behavior
Studies have shown that continuous feedback from employees and colleagues can help narcissistic leaders adjust their behaviour and develop trust.
“Nevertheless, change does not happen overnight,” Buch adds.
“It requires structural support over time, preferably from HR or an external coach, to ensure lasting developments.
Social intelligence is an important aspect of political skills and ingenuity, but it also entails strategic thinking and network-building.
“In our study, these characteristics of leaders contributed to increased job satisfaction and improved performance among employees.
The researchers also found that there were fewer destructive behaviours such as misuse of power and harassment in the workplace.”
What is narcissism?
Narcissism is a personality trait characterised by grandiosity, a need for admiration and a lack of empathy.
The two main forms of narcissism:
Grandiose narcissism: Characterised by self-confidence, charisma and an inflated self-image. Often associated with leadership.
Vulnerable narcissism: Characterised by uncertainty, sensitivity to criticism and a hidden need for affirmation.
Features of narcissistic leaders:
- Overestimating their own abilities.
- Inspiring through charisma and self-confidence.
- May exhibit destructive behaviours, such as misuse of power and manipulation.
Positive potential:
Can be visionary and motivating if they develop political skills.
Disadvantages:
Often lack self-awareness and empathy, which can damage the work environment.
Thompson, Geir; Buch, Robert ; Campbell, K.; Glasø, Lars (2025). Is there an upside to leader narcissism? Dynamic Relationships Management Journal.
