ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the notion of narcissism as a complex, multi-dimensional personality trait. Narcissism is an increasingly popular subject of both scholarly and popular media inquiry. Considerations of eliminating the Narcissism as Personality Disorder (NPD) as a psychiatric pathology from the upcoming revision of the manual were met with quite an uproar from the clinical community, and the NPD appears likely to be retained as a personality disorder. Emmons likewise remarks on the paradox that narcissism correlates positively with self-esteem, extraversion, dominance, and independence. Michael Maccoby expects the charismatic leader to be a narcissist, with an extremely well-developed self-image, self-confidence, strong convictions, and high need for power. The charismatic leader appears in time of crisis to offer salvation through his extraordinary persona. A hypervigilant narcissistic leader is likely to surround him with gatekeepers and 'yes-persons', resulting in a culture of groupthink and one-way communication.
