Mission vs. Ego: The Dangers of Narcissistic Leadership

This week, Brené and Adam are live at SXSW! They explore why so many people are vulnerable to narcissistic leaders. The conversation covers the conditions that breed narcissistic leadership, the roles of shame and fear, and how to survive a narcissistic boss, and what it means to lead with mission over ego.

You can find The Curiosity Shop on YouTube and Instagram (@thecuriosityshop).

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

3:14 - Why People Are Vulnerable to Narcissistic Leaders

12:21- Shame-Based Fear

18:04- Do We Think About Emotions Wrong?

19:21- Undue Credit and the Narcissistic Leader

26:00- Mission Over Ego

29:52- How to Manage a Narcissistic Boss

39:18- Anxiety as a Path to Narcissism

47:45- Judging Impairs Judgement

1:02:20- Closing

Show Notes:

AdamGrant, Why We Fall for Narcissistic Leaders, Starting in Grade School, NYT 2025.

O'Reillyet al. 2001When 'Me' Trumps 'We': Narcissistic Leaders and the Cultures They Create, 2021.

Brené Brown, "Shame shields" in The Dare to Lead Glossary: Key Language skills, tools, and practices. (pg. 15-16)

Bagozzi et al. 2003(A study on cross-cultural differences in reaction to shame)

Brené Brown, Dan Pink on The Power of Regret, Dare to Lead, 2022

We're The Millers (Trailer) 2013,Awkward Roadtrip Moments: No Ragrets

George Saunders, "Failures of Kindness", Convocation Speech, 2013

EmilyGrijalva et al. 2020(A study of the impact of narcissim on NBA team performance)

How Brené Brown and Lumen CEO Kate Johnson Sparked This Telecom Comeback, WSJ Leadership Institute, 2025(11:25)

AdamGrant, Unless You're Oprah, ‘Be Yourself’ Is Terrible Advice - Adam Grant 2016NYT

My response to Adam Grant’s New York Times Op/ED: Unless You're Oprah, ‘Be Yourself’ Is Terrible Advice - Brené Brown LinkedIn 2016

Wattset al, 2014(A study of grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism in U.S. Presidents)

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