How Narcissists Rise to Power-And Why Most People Never See It Coming

I have often said that narcissism will be the downfall of our country. And I don't say that lightly.

Why? Because narcissists gravitate toward power-and power amplifies their worst traits.

In my work as a psychologist, I've seen firsthand how narcissists destroy relationships, families, businesses, and institutions. And I've come to realize that if they can ruin lives on a small scale, what happens when they gain control of an entire system?

The answer is clear: They will burn it down to keep themselves on top.

The Lawyer Who Put His Client in a Psychiatric Hospital Instead of Prison

I know of a case where a high-powered lawyer had his wealthy client admitted to a psychiatric unit after the client admitted to murdering his ex-wife and her partner.

• Not arrested.
• Not charged.
• Admitted to a hospital.

If you have enough money, you can literally receive a get-out-of-jail-free card.

This man was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder-the clinical term for what most people call a psychopath. But narcissistic personality disorder came in a close second.

And what happened after he was admitted?

Instead of feeling any guilt or remorse, he turned the situation into an opportunity for personal fame.

• He used his charm to get extra privileges that other patients couldn't have.
• He ignored the rules everyone else had to follow-and staff let him.
• He invited staff and other patients to watch the evening news, where he was being covered.
• He joked about his good looks on TV, as if being a murderer made him a celebrity.

This wasn't someone who felt trapped in a hospital. This was someone who knew exactly how to manipulate the system.

And that's what makes narcissists so dangerous when they rise to power. They don't play by the rules-because they believe the rules don't apply to them.

Why Narcissists Always Rise to Power

Narcissists don't want money, success, or respect for their own sake. What they crave-above all else-is power over others.

This is why narcissists are overrepresented in leadership positions-not just in politics, but also in corporations, religious institutions, police departments, the military, and media empires.

They thrive in hierarchical structures, where dominance is rewarded and questioning authority is punished.

My Boss Who Thought She Was the Queen

I once had a boss who didn't take well to being questioned. She was authoritarian, controlling, and expected absolute loyalty.

One day, I challenged her. It wasn't personal-I simply pointed out a flaw in her plan that could cause problems down the road.

She slowly turned to me, coldly smiled, and stared me down. There was a long pause-just enough time for me to realize that I had stepped into something far bigger than a simple disagreement.

Then she said, in a voice dripping with condescension:

"You… must not play chess, because you don't know the rules of the game-you always protect the queen."

I remember standing there, stunned. She wasn't just brushing off my argument. She was reminding me that this wasn't about logic, fairness, or merit. This was about power.

She was the queen.

And my job-everyone's job-was to protect her at all costs.

That moment stuck with me because that's exactly how narcissists operate.

The rules don't matter. Only their survival does.

And if you don't serve their agenda? You're expendable.

How We Stop the Rise of Narcissistic Leaders

The first step is understanding what we're dealing with.

• Stop Mistaking Narcissism for Strength
  • Confidence is not competence.
  • Charm is not character.
  • Power-hungry people do not make good leaders.
• Recognize the Warning Signs
  Before a narcissist reaches the top, they always show the same red flags:
  • They lie effortlessly and without remorse.
  • They attack anyone who questions them.
  • They demand loyalty but give none in return.
  • They make big promises but never take responsibility.
• Strengthen Institutions That Keep Narcissists in Check
  • A free press. Narcissists cannot survive without controlling information.
  • An independent justice system. They will always try to bend the law in their favor.
  • A culture that values ethics over popularity. We must stop rewarding bad behavior.
• Remember That Narcissists Never Stop Until They Are Stopped
  Narcissists do not self-correct. They do not grow into better people.
  
  They double down until they either:
  • Lose power (and move on to manipulate a new audience).
  • Are exposed so completely that they can no longer escape accountability.

History has shown us what happens when narcissists take power. It never ends well.

But history has also shown us that narcissists fall when enough people refuse to buy into their game.

The question is: Will we recognize the danger before it's too late?