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The benefits of blockchain technology, what members of Generation Z truly value, the less obvious dangers of office gossip and the trouble with narcissistic leaders are all included in Ambition ’s latest selection of news and research. Compiled by Tim Banerjee Dhoul, Ellen Buchan and Colette Doyle
THE CULT OF NARCISSISM: SELF-CENTRED LEADERS AT WORK
SCHOOL : Amsterdam Business School, University of Amsterdam COUNTRY : Netherlands
“If your new boss gives you the idea that all problems are easily solved, you’re relieved and your trust in the leader grows. Until that person soon exhibits abusive supervision – people are ridiculed and berated and that charming leader turns out not to be so charming after all,” de Hoogh commented. The professor wants her research to help people see why it’s better to choose a different type of leader. “Power often attracts the wrong people,” de Hoogh declared, adding, “the CEO of the future does not stand above people but beside them; they share power, love collaboration, delegate responsibility to others and do not pretend to know everything. “A narcissist is so charming and self-assured that many people don’t critically examine their work experience. By selecting candidates based on other qualities and assessing whether a leader connects people, you get CEOs who perform well,” she concluded. CD
Research undertaken by Amsterdam Business School (ABS) professor Annebel de Hoogh demonstrates why society has a preference for narcissistic leaders. “Something very strange happens in our minds when we get to choose a leader. We think we should choose a dominant leader, the ‘king of the jungle’ type. It gives us a good feeling, as we trust people who are like that,” explained de Hoogh. However, this may not be the best option, according to the ABS professor: “In fact, we should avoid them because they are not as smart as we think and in the long run, they do more harm than good. Narcissistic leaders have a negative impact on the entire company.” De Hoogh says that narcissists are often charming individuals who claim they can solve problems quickly. Once they are in charge, they hinder the free exchange of information and act as if they have a solution for everything.
8 | Ambition |
MAY 2024
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