Is Narcissism Bad?
One of the most annoying comments I hear about Trump is the claim he is “narcissistic”. This is a lot like complaining about men having a “mental disorder” over obsessing about balls because they watch basketball, football, baseball, and golf.
Narcissistic! What an obscene perversion of the facts. Do the accusers know what politics is about? Half of politics is pure unadulterated hatred and defamation of opponents. Do we not learn from this or are we so disgusted, we shy away from politics? Many drop out of politics because it erodes and grates on the ego. Very sad.
Many people have mental problems and lack important mental skills but this does not necessarily make them mentally ill. I refer people to Thomas Szasz and his book The Myth of Mental Illness (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freud-fluoxetine/201806/revisiting-szasz-myth-metaphor-and-misconception). His thoughts are very critical of labeling behavior as a mental illness and I think he is frequently right.
Trump is often accused of having narcissistic characteristics, but he is so heavily defamed and lied about, who can blame him? If his opponents thoroughly believed he was fully narcissistic, they would stop attacking him and honestly attack his policies and flaws, but they do not because many of his policies worked. Yet, in attacking Trump as a person and they merely embolden him as he does not value their judgement. I find the situation most humorous to watch.
Anyways, I went to Perplexity.AI and asked the topic. The following was the result (https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-are-the-benefits-for-soci-k7IWNWWyTWynfMmswOfUjA#0). I added some emphasis, but let me know what you think. I think you will find narcissism or the traits of narcissism can be a positive trait.
“Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by an excessive preoccupation with oneself and an inflated sense of self-importance. It exists on a spectrum, ranging from normal self-interest to pathological forms, such as Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
Narcissistic leaders can have both positive and negative impacts on society. While their traits can be problematic in many ways, there are some potential benefits that narcissistic leaders may bring:
## Vision and Innovation
Narcissistic leaders often possess a grand vision and the confidence to pursue ambitious goals. This can lead to:
- Bold, innovative ideas that push society forward[8]
- Willingness to take necessary risks to achieve progress[8]
- Ability to inspire and rally others around a compelling vision
Their desire for glory and admiration can drive them to attempt great things that more cautious leaders might avoid.
## Decisive Action
In times of crisis or change, narcissistic leaders may excel at:
- Making tough decisions quickly without being paralyzed by doubt
- Pushing through resistance to implement major changes
- Taking decisive action when others are hesitant
Their self-assurance allows them to act boldly when decisiveness is needed.
## Charisma and Motivation
Many narcissistic leaders possess strong charisma that can:
- Inspire confidence and optimism in followers[1]
- Generate enthusiasm and buy-in for initiatives
- Motivate people to work hard toward goals
Their charm and conviction can be powerful in rallying support and motivating action.
## Resilience
The narcissist's inflated self-view can provide:
- Persistence in the face of setbacks or criticism
- Confidence to keep pursuing goals despite obstacles
- Ability to maintain composure under pressure
This resilience may help them persevere where others would give up.
## Challenging the Status Quo
Narcissistic leaders are often willing to:
- Question established norms and practices
- Push for dramatic changes rather than incremental ones
- Disrupt outdated systems or thinking
Their lack of reverence for tradition can spur needed changes in society.
While these potential benefits exist, it's important to note that narcissistic leadership also carries significant risks and downsides. The positive impacts tend to be most pronounced in short-term scenarios or times of crisis, while the negative effects often emerge over longer periods. A moderate level of narcissistic traits in leaders may be most beneficial, as extreme narcissism typically leads to destructive outcomes.
Citations:
[1] https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs/leadreadtoday/blog/the-duality-of-narcissistic-leaders-the-good-the-bad-and-the-downright-dangerous
[2] https://www.resilience.org/stories/2023-06-26/why-we-choose-narcissists-as-leaders/
[3] https://hbr.org/2004/01/narcissistic-leaders-the-incredible-pros-the-inevitable-cons
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5437163/
[5] https://ibct-mena.com/narcissistic-leaders-are-they-a-gift-or-a-misfortune/
[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1048984320301168
[7] https://www.imd.org/ibyimd/human-resources/should-you-work-for-a-narcissistic-leader/
[8] https://allisonfallon.com/narcissistic-leaders/