Narcissistic Personality Traits
Leaders Higher in Narcissistic Personality Traits - The 'Righteous Rockstars'
Leaders with high levels of narcissistic traits tend to be comfortable in situations others find individually daunting or stressful. They are comfortable in high-profile roles and have a natural ability to step into bright spotlights and step up to big challenges. They can be extremely effective when the objective facts say the chances of winning are low. The downside of their self-belief is they may over-promise and under-deliver - putting themselves, their team, or their business at risk for the sake of improving their image. If someone or something threatens their ego, they may react by putting others down to build themselves up.
Positive Impacts on Psychosocial Risk and Business Performance:
Lowered Anxiety: Righteous Rockstars' self-belief can lower team anxiety. Their confidence can inspire the team, lifting performance by removing self-imposed limitations when not challenged. Their consistent playbook— “their way or the wrong way”—reduces options and pushes the team forward, reducing anxiety. This singular vision makes them powerfully persuasive, sometimes convincing people of seemingly impossible outcomes.
Reduced Ambiguity: Righteous Rockstars also minimize ambiguity. Their seeing of the world from their ego’s point of view limits variables, making decisions more straightforward for the team. Their devotion to the idea that “I (we) will always win” eliminates doubt, helping the team focus on achieving goals with confidence.
Negative Impacts on Psychosocial Risk and Business Performance:
Increasing Conformity: Disagreeing with Righteous Rockstars' can be risky, as threats to their ego can trigger narcissistic rage, damaging team members’ reputations or careers. This fear of retribution stifles frank discussion and open debate, leading to a lack of genuine engagement.
Creating Overstimulation: Team members may resort to handling the leader by constantly praising them rather than addressing real business issues. This misdirects energy into managing the leader’s ego, reducing productivity. Over time, team members may begin questioning the leader’s wisdom.
While Righteous Rockstars can create a cult-like following, their unchecked narcissistic traits can increase toxicity and undermine team performance. High self-awareness is crucial for these leaders to use their persuasive personalities effectively, aligning the team towards inspiring goals without creating a toxic environment.
Leaders Lower in Narcissistic Personality Traits - The 'Reliable Roadies'
Leaders with low levels of narcissistic traits tend to 'steer from the rear' - promoting their team rather than standing in the spotlight themselves, working behind the scenes to make sure their team can perform. They focus on what they do and what needs to be done rather than managing the perception others have of them. On the downside, their inclination to take a back seat may limit their ability to provide direction and move to the front when they need to communicate, role model, and take responsibility. People often want to see their leaders on the bridge, even if the leader prefers to lend a hand in the engine room.
Positive Impacts on Psychosocial Risk and Business Performance:
Lower Conformity: Reliable Roadies do not dominate conversations or decision-making processes. They encourage team debates and group decisions, reducing conformity as the leader’s authority is shared rather than imposed. This collaborative approach ensures no one bows to a grand authority, fostering genuine discussion and alignment.
Reduced Ambiguity: Reliable Roadies focus on facts and reality rather than emotional aspects, increasing the accuracy of information. Their detailed instructions and specific suggestions minimize ambiguity, enhancing clarity and understanding within the team.
Negative Impacts on Psychosocial Risk and Business Performance:
Managing Energy and Stimulation: Reliable Roadies may struggle to influence team energy and stimulation as part of the group. Their intimate integration into the team makes it harder for them to act decisively as leaders, potentially impairing team function and performance.
Inability to Lower Anxiety: Reliable Roadies’ laissez-faire approach may lead to the team finding their own, often fearful, facts. Without proper context and leadership, the team’s imagination can run wild, consuming energy and focus. In times of volatility and uncertainty, leaders need to step up and lead from the front to lower ambiguity and anxiety.
Reliable Roadies excel in creating collaborative, trust-based environments. Their focus on team success and factual accuracy positively impacts psychosocial risk and business performance. However, they must balance their supportive role with decisive leadership to manage energy, stimulation, and anxiety effectively, ensuring optimal team function and performance.
