This week, Brené and Adam are live at SXSW! They explore why so many people are vulnerable to narcissistic leaders. The conversation covers the conditions that breed narcissistic leadership, the roles of shame and fear, and how to survive a narcissistic boss, and what it means to lead with mission over ego.
You can find The Curiosity Shop on YouTube and Instagram (@thecuriosityshop).
Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
3:14 - Why People Are Vulnerable to Narcissistic Leaders
12:21 - Shame-Based Fear
18:04 - Do We Think About Emotions Wrong?
19:21 - Undue Credit and the Narcissistic Leader
26:00 - Mission Over Ego
29:52 - How to Manage a Narcissistic Boss
39:18 - Anxiety as a Path to Narcissism
47:45 - Judging Impairs Judgement
1:02:20 - Closing
Show Notes:
Adam Grant, Why We Fall for Narcissistic Leaders, Starting in Grade School, NYT 2025.
O'Reilly et al. 2001 When 'Me' Trumps 'We': Narcissistic Leaders and the Cultures They Create, 2021.
Brené Brown, "Shame shields" in The Dare to Lead Glossary: Key Language skills, tools, and practices. (pg. 15-16)
Bagozzi et al. 2003 (A study on cross-cultural differences in reaction to shame)
Brené Brown, Dan Pink on The Power of Regret, Dare to Lead, 2022
We're The Millers (Trailer) 2013, Awkward Roadtrip Moments: No Ragrets
George Saunders, "Failures of Kindness", Convocation Speech, 2013
Emily Grijalva et al. 2020 (A study of the impact of narcissim on NBA team performance)
How Brené Brown and Lumen CEO Kate Johnson Sparked This Telecom Comeback, WSJ Leadership Institute, 2025 (11:25)
Adam Grant, Unless You're Oprah, ‘Be Yourself’ Is Terrible Advice - Adam Grant 2016 NYT
My response to Adam Grant’s New York Times Op/ED: Unless You're Oprah, ‘Be Yourself’ Is Terrible Advice - Brené Brown LinkedIn 2016
Watts et al, 2014 (A study of grandiose narcissism and vulnerable narcissism in U.S. Presidents)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
