"Narcissists do not succeed because they are smarter, wiser, or more capable than others. Often enough they are not. They succeed because their behavior exploits blind spots-both in human psychology and understanding as well as the systems designed to protect us. As I noted in my book Dangerous Personalities, the majority of the damage they cause never makes headlines. It occurs quietly, behind closed doors, through manipulation, intimidation, devaluation, harassment, and at times a chilling indifference to human suffering."
"One of the most common and costly mistakes we make is confusing a narcissist's abilities with their pathology. Many narcissists are articulate, decisive, charming, and confident under pressure. They act quickly, detect weaknesses in others with remarkable speed, and appear fearless in the face of difficulty. These traits are rewarded in workplaces, organizations, teams, and even families. What is rarely examined is why they appear so effective under stress."
"Because narcissists can perform well in narrow domains, their destructive behavior is often minimized or excused. "Yes, but he's brilliant." "She's difficult, but she gets results." Over time, the pathology is forgiven out of convenience, laziness, fear of retaliation, or the belief that only this person can deliver outcomes. The cost of intervention feels too high, so the damage continues leaving behind a "debris field" of human suffering."
Narcissists succeed not because of superior intelligence or ability but because they exploit psychological and systemic blind spots. They often present as articulate, decisive, charming, and confident, traits rewarded in workplaces, teams, and families. A lack of empathy allows narcissists to remain highly focused and undeterred by guilt or concern for consequences. Pathological traits are frequently misread as leadership or resilience, leading peers and institutions to excuse harmful behavior. Intervention is avoided due to convenience, fear, or the belief that only the narcissist can deliver results, which lets abuse continue quietly and leaves victims isolated, confused, and harmed.
Read at Psychology Today
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