Achievements can feed feelings of grandiosity. That's why Freud thought narcissists were the hardest personality types to analyse. This is how an executive at Oracle describes his narcissistic CEO Larry Ellison: “The difference between God and Larry is that God does not believe he is Larry.� That observation is amusing,but it is also troubling. Not surprisingly,most people think of narcissists in primarily a negative way. After all, Freud named the type after the mythical figure Narcissus, who died because of his pathological preoccupation with himself. Yet narcissism can be extraordinarily useful—even necessary. Freud shifted his views about narcissism over time and recognized that we are all somewhat narcissistic. There is productive and unproductive narcissism. Leaders such as Jack Welch, Steve Jobs and George Soros are examples of productive narcissists. They are gifted and creative strategists who see the big picture and find meaning in the risky challenge of changing the world and leaving behind a legacy. Indeed, one reason we look to productive narcissists in times of great transition is that they have the audacity to push through the massive transformations that society periodically undertakes. Their command over people can reduce the resistence to change. Productive narcissists are not only risk takers willing to get the job done but also charmers who can convert the masses with their rhetoric speeches. They are persuaders and their perseverance and commitment can make anybody change their minds..The danger is that narcissism can turn unproductive when, lacking selfHigh Performance Leadership
22 Paul Robinson