Narcissim in Work

Malignant Self Love Narcissism Revisited

Introduction:

“Narcissistic and Psychopathic Leaders” discusses the actions, relationships, and work related instances in the presence of a “narcissistic” leader. Author Sam Vaknin, outlines the definition of narcissism, and how this disorder affects the mindset of suffering individuals and their colleagues.

Pathological Narcissism is defined as a “lifelong pattern of traits and behaviors which signify infatuation and obsession with one’s self to the exclusion of all others and the egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one’s gratification, dominance and ambition.” In simpler terms, you could describe a narcissistic leader as one who exudes vanity, self-centeredness, conceit, and sheer selfishness on a regular basis. Within three chapters jam packed with quite a few sub-sections, Vaknin breaks down narcissism within the workplace, narcissistic authority figures, narcissism as a psychological disorder, as well as how to cope with narcissists and psychopaths within the workplace.

Pathological Narcissism- An Overview

This particular chapter is an introduction to the psyche of a narcissistic individual. Narcissistic Personality disorder is introduced as NPD, a type of pathological narcissism that causes one to be melodramatic, emotional and extremely histrionic when conducting themselves in the presence of others. NPD is classified as a Cluster B Personality Disorder along with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) and Historic Personality Disorder (HPD); (Cluster B meaning it falls under erratic personality conditions). The criteria attached to this explicit disorder are:

* One who feels magnificent and self-important; exaggerates accomplishments, talents, skill, contacts, etc. to the point of untruthfulness

* Obsessed with fantasies of unlimited success, fame, omnipotence, unequally brilliant

* Firmly convinced that he or she is unique and special

* Requires...