Thursday Jun 05, 2025
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://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.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.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.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.
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