Narcissists rise to the top because people mistake their confidence for leadership qualities (UK)

DailyMail.U.K. ^ | 11th August 2011 | Anna Edwards

[SanFranDan]

FULL TITLE: Narcissists rise to the top because people mistake their confidence and authority for leadership qualities

They may be charming, confident and climb the job ladder with ease, but when they reach the top, narcissists are actually not very good at their roles.

Such people are often too self-obsessed to do their jobs properly, according to a study.

Those who love themselves and have vast self-confidence often impress others with their self-belief, dominance and authority, leading them to climb the career ladder effortlessly.

However, scientists have discovered that while narcissists are convincing leaders, they are so consumed by their own brilliance that it actually cripples their creativity and often causes them to make bad decisions. They like to squirrel away information from their colleagues and are too focused on themselves to allow others to shine in the workplace, researchers said.

It also prevents proper interaction with colleagues who often vastly overestimate the ability of their overconfident bosses.

Scientists at the University of Amsterdam proved their theory by conducting an experiment involving 150 people, split into groups of three.

[SanFranDan]

I wonder what Pres__ent of a newly downgraded country by S+P they might be talking about?

[agere_contra]

Is this any way for the UK to thank Obama for all those lovely DVDs?

[gunnyg]

Would not surprise me at all that there are a helluvva lot more of them around than might be expected, and not that far from our daily lives...

[SMARTY]

“Narcissists rise to the top because people mistake their confidence and authority for leadership qualities”

Can you say Robespierre?

[dragonblustar]

Show me a narcissistic person and I’ll show you a democrat.

[Hodar]

[old3030]

a Democrat or a McCain — but I repeat myself

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Describes The Anointed One to a T.

[JudyinCanada]

People voted for this dough head because they wanted to.

The media started his official election campaign by beating the drum of hatred and insults toward President Bush. Anyone could have beaten McCain - it was a combination of the anti-Bush blitz, the financial crisis just before the election, with a sprinkling of fraudulent votes, thanks to Acorn.

America put an INEXPERIENCED, uber-liberal community organizer (a.k.a. social justice activist)into the highest office in the land. Who would have expected anything other than what has happened?

[Marty62]

We’ve known Zero is a DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) classic narcissist.

Glad to see others are starting to get a clue.

[GonzoGOP]

I wonder what Pres__ent of a newly downgraded country by S+P they might be talking about?

And have you ever noticed that our best presidents have always been fairly modest and fond of self-effacing humor. Reagan always joked about his age and the fact that he fell asleep in cabinet meetings. Washington never portrayed himself as the indispensable man, even though he might have been the only one in US history who actually was. Truman never pretended to be more than he was. Even Calvin Coolidge was known to make jokes at his own expense, when he talked at all that was.

The best leaders know exactly who they are, and are comfortable with themselves. They don't need to fake it and as such are willing to hire good people with knowledge and skills they don't have. They are willing to listen to advice. Modest men don't feel superior to others and as such can view even their opponents as human beings. They tend to be pragmatic. To the modest leader it isn't about winning, but about getting the job done. Most importantly they are decisive. They decide what needs to be done, and then set about doing it, trusting the voters to judge them on the results.

It is interesting that all came in during hard times. Two (Coolidge and Truman) came in as a VP replacing a president who died in office. All won second terms. It is hard for a modest man to get elected, but once in office they tend to be appreciated.

[bvw]

Oh, just remembered!

I wanted to add the common sense of this article.

There is a very strong male-female component to this kind of rise of the narcissist. It doesn’t happen anywhere near as much in male-oriented environments. It happens a lot more in female-oriented or “coed” environments.

Guys don’t buy crap that is packaged well and perfumed. Guys duke it out. Even a narcissist would have to have some real skillz.

[robowombat]

Unfortunately BO is highly passive aggressive as well. Passive aggressive personality types are very bad managers and worse in leadership positions. They are constantly defending and avoid any action they see as exposing themselves to any risk. These individuals will do anything to avoid admitting an error and are more interested in saying “Not my fault” than ever taking a risk. Combine the PA personality with a life history of being an affirmative action pick and we have aman who goes through life terrified the secret of his “unearned success” will be found out. BO is an emotional cripple with a learned incapacity to leader take any risk. Unfortunately other than William Daley all he has around him are weak enablers and a hollow suit fora VP. Not good for the country at all.

[agere_contra]

These individuals will do anything to avoid admitting an error

Good point. Lest we forget, he did vote 'present' about a million times as a Senator.

[MikeSteelBe]

The Kenyan muslim punk bastard will not be a narcissist in 2013 when the DSM-V comes out.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stop-walking-eggshells/201012/end-narcissistic-personality-disorder-in-dsm-5

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2010/11/30/personality-disorders-shakeup-in-dsm-5/