Mindset
The Rise of Narcissism: From Parody to Power
“The ends justify the means……..”“
– Niccolò Machiavelli
I recently listened to a podcast with a leading researcher on narcissism. Fascinating stuff. Ironically, I was already arranging a guest on the same topic — another noted researcher here in Canada, who also happens to be the mother of one of my daughter’s school friends.
In psychology, narcissism is part of the normal range of human personality. A measure of self-confidence and self-regard can be healthy, even essential. But when those traits become extreme, persistent, and disruptive to relationships or functioning, they turn maladaptive.
I remember talking with special operator Rich Diviney back on Episode 200 of my podcast when he had just published The Attributes. He explained that some narcissistic tendencies actually serve a purpose. They can bring confidence, belief, and commitment to a task, even when someone is operating beyond their direct experience. Sometimes, you have to act more capable than you feel to accomplish what you’ve never done before.
But climb higher up that spectrum, and things shift. Narcissism becomes an excessive preoccupation with self: inflated self-importance, an endless need for admiration, and difficulty valuing the feelings or needs of others.
The Clinical Picture
According to the DSM-5, Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, starting in early adulthood and showing up across many areas of life.
Key features include:
- Grandiose sense of self-importance
- Fantasies of unlimited success, power, beauty, or ideal love
- Belief in being “special” and only associating with the elite
- Excessive need for admiration
- Entitlement
- Exploitative relationships
- Lack of empathy
- Envy of others or belief others envy them
- Arrogant, haughty behaviors
A clinical diagnosis requires at least five of these traits to be consistently present.
Why Talk About This Now?
Because over the last 15 years, narcissism hasn’t just become visible — it’s become celebrated.
Once upon a time, we laughed off these types. The “roosters” who strutted with self-congratulation were tolerated at parties but not admired as models. Maybe they even impressed us with their accomplishments, but they weren’t elevated. They were the exception, not the rule.
Now? It’s become acceptable to be the “donkey.” Trampling others, dismissing reputations, publicly deriding opponents — all excused if you “get results.” Make money, pass legislation, build something impressive, or even just convince people you’ve done those things — and suddenly the behavior is justified.
The ends justify the means. Right?
The sad truth: narcissism often wears a charming mask. These individuals can be magnetic, disarming, even inspiring — until they’ve extracted what they want. After that, you’re invisible. Stand up to them? That’s when the claws come out. Retribution isn’t a possibility, it’s a guarantee.
Machiavelli’s Shadow
Why has this become en vogue? Because it works — at least in the short term. Narcissism is intoxicating. It projects power. It attracts those who feel powerless.
It echoes Machiavelli’s The Prince, which advised rulers to appear virtuous while wielding cunning, pragmatism, and manipulation to hold power. Over centuries, “Machiavellian” became shorthand for a style of leadership where the outcome matters more than the morality of the means.
This isn’t new. What’s new is our willingness to applaud it.
We used to parody this behavior. Cartoons like South Park gave us Eric Cartman as a caricature of narcissism — grandiose, manipulative, exploitative, devoid of empathy. We laughed at the absurdity.
Now the parody has become reality.
What Now?
That’s the question. If narcissism and Machiavellian tactics are rewarded in culture, politics, and business, how do we respond? Do we keep celebrating charm without conscience? Or do we start calling it out for what it is?
Because if the parody becomes the truth, the joke’s on us.
