Narcissist Female Bosses Outbest Male Narcissist CEOs
In this lecture, Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the prevalence of narcissism in corporate leadership, particularly focusing on the performance of narcissistic female chief executive officers. He highlights a study that suggests narcissistic female CEOs outperform their male counterparts and that their narcissism is associated with improved company performance. The study also suggests that female CEOs are able to suppress the dark side of narcissism and leverage traits such as empathy and networking, leading to superior corporate outcomes. Additionally, the lecture touches on the impact of narcissistic tendencies of chief financial officers on corporate digital transformation, suggesting that narcissism in upper management may be a beneficial corporate asset.
Toxic positivity, Toxic Gratitude, Malignant Optimism: Self-gaslighting
Professor Sam Vaknin discusses the concept of “self gaslighting,” where individuals deceive themselves into believing that they cannot trust their own understanding of reality. He explores three forms of self gaslighting: toxic positivity, toxic gratitude, and malignant optimism. He emphasizes the negative impact of denying one’s true emotions and the need to accept and address negative feelings. Vaknin also highlights the prevalence of self-gaslighting in society and its contribution to rising rates of depression and anxiety.
Staring Into Abyss: Failed Healer’s Confession
Therapists, psychologists, counselors, and coaches can be traumatized by their work, especially when they encounter patients who are beyond help. These patients have minds that are tangled messes, and therapists can be drawn inexorably deeper into their primordial jungle, knowing that it could spell their own doom. When a therapist comes across a patient like this, they are liable to lose their mind, and it is a terrifying experience. Therapists can burn out, melt down, act out, decompensate, and dysregulate, and they can react very badly.