The lasting impact of narcissistic leadership on employee mental and emotional health

Narcissistic leadership is a relationship in which the leader is only interested in themselves and their goals and motives. When the motive means so much, it can also cloud an individual’s judgment and morality while making decisions to move forward.  

Identifying a narcissistic leadership style:

1. Need for perfectionism: While this could be perceived as striving for betterment’, a narcissistic leader easily dismisses others’ opinions and fails to consider the inherent uniqueness of the individuals. 
2. Lack of inclusion: Such a leader would also need to be open to new ideas, diverse identities, and contemporary ways of doing things.
3. Confirmation bias: It is a tendency to focus on and select information that supports one’s pre-existing beliefs and ideas. In a way, this forms an echo chamber that boosts a person’s self-esteem furthermore.
4. The need to execute power: This need is so visible that one could notice it even during conversations when a leader tries to bring it back to the spotlight or reiterate a particular thought. Decisions cannot be collaborative. They will solely be based on the leader’s perception of employees.
5. Insensitivity and lack of understanding: When a narcissistic leader chooses to lead an organization, there could be a significant distance between employees and the leader because of such a visible hierarchy. The leader is unbothered about employee wellbeing and looks at employees as a means to an end.
6. Inability to receive constructive feedback: A very common narcissistic trait is to be unable to receive any feedback and inability to act on that. The feedback may come across as an act of disrespect and offense to a leader. It can also feel like a personal attack because of a lack of understanding.

Along with these traits, the narcissistic leader could also show a lack of empathy and exclusive favors to those who abide by the leader’s rulebook. This leadership is not very effective because it fails to acknowledge and appreciate one of the most important parts of the workforce, i.e., the employees. This inevitably has an impact on employee mental health. Imagine being in an environment where your freedom to express yourself and autonomy at work go unnoticed and are invalidated.

• Lack of attachment with work: When employees do not feel respected and valued at their workplace, they can develop resentment and distaste towards the work and the manager. This can make them feel emotionally detached and disconnected from work and sometimes other co-workers as well.
• Decreased job satisfaction: When employees are detached from work, underappreciated, and not appreciated, it takes a toll on their overall job satisfaction.
• Job insecurity, fear, and anxiety: The narcissistic leader can make decisions on the go. There could be drastic changes that the company policies and structure could undergo. This causes an environment of constant fear, anxiety, and lack of security at work for the employees. 
• Occupational burnout: The relentless pressure and stress can lead to burnout, a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that severely impacts an individual's ability to function. Employees experiencing burnout may experience feelings of worthlessness, having no control, and isolation.
• Physical manifestations of toxicity at work: The stress and anxiety that the human body experiences can have physical repercussions as well. Muscle tension, neck pain, backache, migraine, lowered immunity, acidity, and poor digestion are all symptoms that could accompany a higher level of stress, anxiety, and dissatisfaction. Please note that these symptoms are not generically present in all, and they are not to be related to any pre-existing medical conditions.

Strategies to mitigate consequences:

1. It’s not your responsibility to keep up with toxic behaviors. Seek support from colleagues and strategize a confrontation.
2. Start establishing boundaries. If someone is constantly crossing your boundaries or disrespecting them, keep reestablishing. It is a tiring process that can test your patience, but boundary setting is really necessary for your own protection.
3. Keep a record: Documenting interactions is a very important tool. Try to keep a physical or digital record of the interactions so that it can aid in creating valuable evidence to back you. 
4. Look after yourself: Self-care plays an even more important role during this time. Focus on your physical and mental health, and take steps to build supportive networks around you. Seeking professional help can provide you with a safe and non-judgmental space to express yourself and learn ways to manage challenges effectively. The aim of seeking help is not to put up with toxicity but to enable you to make decisions that allow you to be in a better position emotionally and mentally. 
5. Think of a bigger picture: Thinking into the future will allow you to plan a timeline for you and decide when would be the right time for you to move on. If things are becoming toxic day by day and you cannot see any change, think of ways in which you can move on to the next chapter. Revisit your skills, and resume, and tap into your professional network to explore other opportunities present in the market.

FAQ:

1. Can this leadership style be modified?

It is possible but it requires commitment and co-operation from the person who is showcasing narcissism. This is best done with the help of a Mental Health Professional who offers a constant stream of support while the individual is trying to unlearn old habits and learn new, healthy approaches to deal with things.