Distinguishing Narcissism from Self-Confidence
Contrary to some other studies, a new study finds that self-centered CEOs who "crave acclaim and applause" are more likely to keep their companies at the forefront of technological innovation.
Their desire for attention fuels their willingness to make daring decisions that their less-confident counterparts might shy away from, suggests the study's authors, who are professors at IMD, a top-ranked business school in Switzerland, Pennsylvania State University and Erlangen-Nuremberg University in Germany. (See more on the study findings here.)
Steve Jobs' reputation certainly seems to support these conclusions. Known for both his brilliance and arrogance, there is likely to be little disagreement that Jobs was one of the most innovative leaders of our time.
Narcissism is a disorder of self-esteem, says Larry Gard, president of Hamilton-Chase Consulting in Chicago.
"People with this condition have great difficulty feeling okay about themselves unless others continually supply them with positive regard. It's as if their self-esteem holding tank has a gaping hole and it must be filled from the outside 24/7," he says.
To boost their self-esteem, narcissists will constantly seek affirmation from others, he says. "They turn the conversation to themselves not because they believe they know more than you, but because they want you to view them as special. More than being the center of attention, narcissists want to be the center of admiration."
But, he adds, feedback can be a touchy thing for narcissists. "On the one hand, they crave positive reviews, but they can be devastated by feedback that's less than stellar."
It is that dichotomy between confidence and insecurity that can create problems for narcissists -- and the companies they work for, as excessive confidence does not always lead to leadership success.
Dattner Consulting Group - News
Jay Hawreluk, a management consultant and president of the JH Group in the Detroit area, says succession planning requires companies to determine "what stage the company is currently operating at and what kind of leader will best suit the organization