Narcissism
How Does Narcissism Influence Autocratic Leaders?
And what can psychologists do to help?
Posted February 14, 2023 Reviewed by Lybi Ma
Key points
- Narcissism afflicts people in leadership as much as it does everyday people.
- Narcissistic leaders pose a danger because their actions are volatile and difficult to manage.
- Psychology can be used to support positive foreign relations and strategy.
- A system of support is crucial for political leaders dealing with the demands of autocrats.
Co-authored with Lorraine Kellum
Narcissism does afflict autocratic leaders, according to research. Democracy researchers report that more than one-third of the world’s population today lives under authoritarian rule. Autocratic leaders usually make their way to the helm of power by moving up the ranks of country-level leadership. They start by presenting themselves as common patriots and building trust. It isn’t until years later that their criminal and tyrannical behaviors surface. No amount of repression, control, or warmongering can assuage the appetites of these rulers. An autocrat’s need for power is insatiable.
The actions and thinking patterns of individuals with narcissistic personality disorder mimic those found during childhood. Throughout childhood and adolescence, all of us contend with the fragility of our egos. Communal support and educational resources help to build our self-esteem during these early years as well as support us through our learning of how to reason, negotiate, and work together with others. By adulthood, narcissistic character traits dissipate, but only when our egos remain fit and intact.
In autocratic leaders, their childhood needs never die. Autocratic leaders lie, demean, start wars, and sow chaos without an inch of remorse. Autocrats also feed off of the actions of other dictators and despots. They envy, admire, and build coalitions with other autocrats—the teenage equivalent of a schoolyard bully joining forces with a neighborhood gang.
A Unified Strategy
All of this begs the question: How effective are healthy leaders when they handle their narcissistic, autocratic counterparts globally? Psychology certainly has a role to play.
First, narcissists need clear boundaries. Attempts to confront or talk things through with a narcissist do not work. The narcissist’s untampered need for control means that there is an irrational need to lead, even if straight down hell’s staircase. Establishing clear boundaries ensures limits on testy behaviors.
Second, psychologists recommend communicating clearly and positively when dealing with narcissists. They recommend avoiding criticism and negative feedback at all costs. This is because narcissists lack the reasoning skills that healthy individuals develop during adolescence, as well as the empathy and humility needed to evaluate ideas. Clear and positive communication feeds the narcissist’s need for laudation, praise, and approval.
Third, and finally, a system of support is crucial when dealing with the demands of a narcissist. Healthy leaders do well to develop a unified strategy that is clear and unwavering when entering talks with madmen. Seeking new ways to build democratic capacities and expand communications among other healthy leaders would support the aims of human rights defenders and peacekeepers.
Conclusion
The world is witnessing the biggest slide in democratic leadership since World War II. With the largest military by far, US leadership remains at the helm of international order. The role of US leaders in preventing conflict escalations and containing threats cannot be overstated. Here, psychologists are uniquely positioned to provide support.
Lorraine Kellum achieved a BS in Psychology and a MA in Curriculum and Instruction, both from Virginia Tech.