The Psychological Assessment of Political Leaderstiable, so there is a constant need for reassurance, a constant concern
for how well he is doing, how well others think of him, and an exag-
gerated response to criticism or defeat, which can lead to feelings of
rage, inferiority, shame, humiliation, or emptiness.
Interpersonal relationships are regularly disturbed. Because these
individuals are so self-absorbed, there is a failure of ability to
empathize with others. Indeed, others are seen as extensions of the
self and are there only to supply admiration and gratification, such
that when an individual is no longer perceived as psychologically
useful, he or she can be dropped suddenly. There is often an exploita-
tive quality to interpersonal relationships. These individuals, who
can be extremely charming, are often described as "sharks."
An aspect of the "special" quality of these individuals is the feel-
ing of entitlement they convey. They expect special treatment from
others, expect others to do what they want, and will be angered when
others fail to live up to their unreasonable demands. They regularly
ignore the rights and needs of others. There is accordingly a major
inability to sustain loyal relationships over time.
There are a number of apparent contradictions in the narcissistic
personality, because for each of the dimensions there is both an overt
and covert aspect (Akhtar and Anderson 1982). Thus the overt pic-
ture of haughty grandiosity overlies feelings of inferiority, which
helps explain the narcissist's continuous search for fame and glory.
There is a hunger for acclaim and a tendency to change meanings of
reality when self-esteem is threatened. The overt picture of zealous
morality overlies a corruptible conscience.
The Narcissistic Personality: Implications for Leadership
The following discussion amplifies the characteristics described pre-
viously in order to highlight the manner in which narcissistic per-
sonality features influence the conduct of leadership. A notable
aspect of the narcissist in power is the manner in which the narcis-
sistic personality seeks to gratify his or her psychological needs
through the exercise of leadership. Despite the apparent sustained
devotion of their energies to socially productive endeavors, and the
selfless rationales, the primary goal of the self-oriented narcissist is
actually to gain recognition, fame, and glory. This search for recog-