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The Narcissist in Chief. (2015)

“…if voters select narcissists as their leaders, they may end up with gifted stage performers who are persuasive and decisive. They may, however, also get a good deal more than they bargained for.”

Scott O. Lilienfeld, Professor, Emory University, Georgia: and Ashley L. Watts, graduate student, Emory University
New York Times 4 September 2015
Illustration: Gérard DuBois

“The political rise of Donald J. Trump has drawn attention to one personality trait in particular: narcissism. …..the Trump phenomenon raises the question of what kinds of leaders narcissists make.

“… We found that narcissism, specifically “grandiose narcissism” – an amalgam of flamboyance, immodesty and dominance – was associated with greater overall presidential success. ….. Grandiose narcissism was tied to slightly better crisis management, public persuasiveness and agenda-setting. ….

“Yet we also found that grandiose narcissism was associated with certain negative outcomes, including unethical behaviors like stealing, abusing power and bending rules.

“…the findings we have reviewed suggest that if voters select narcissistic individuals as their leaders, they may end up with gifted stage performers who are persuasive and decisive. They may, however, also get a good deal more than they bargained for.”

Read the full article here: The Narcissist in Chief

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