Narcissistic Leaders

Attraction to Narcissistic Leaders, Women’s Power, and the Fight Against Going BackwardOn the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, Jojy welcome Sandy to discuss Adam Grant’s New York Times article “There’s a Cure for Our Attraction to Narcissistic Leaders,” using it to explore why narcissistic men can rise in corporate and political leadership while women showing confidence are often labeled negatively. Sandy recounts the difficulty of securing a small-business loan nearly 50 years ago as a woman, describing widespread dismissiveness from banks before Gloucester National Bank finally financed their artisan shop. The conversation links deference to domineering “bully” personalities to fear and low self-esteem, notes how some women still defer to husbands’ views, and critiques cultural attacks on women’s leadership and reproductive rights, including concerns about Roe v. Wade and “trad wives.” They emphasize women’s collaborative leadership style, the need for more women in politics, and appreciation for men who support women’s rights.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:31 Meet Sandy00:57 Narcissistic Leaders Topic02:43 Women and Business Loans08:47 Why Banks Said No10:15 Narcissism and Power11:58 Bullies and Attraction14:48 Women Following Husbands20:52 Women Leaders vs Narcissists24:16 Roe and Tradwives Backlash28:45 Fear of Women Independence31:40 Allies and Hope35:24 Wrap Up and Contact