Adaptive and maladaptive narcissism,charisma,and leadership performance: A study of perceptions about the presidential leadership of Donald Trump

Abstract

The current study examines the effects of perceptions of leader adaptive and maladaptive narcissism on ratings of charisma and presidential leadership performance for Donald Trump by registered voters. We present a model examining differing dimensions of narcissism, and their effects on attributed charisma and perceptions of leadership performance for Donald Trump. Structural equation modeling results reveal positive effects of adaptive narcissism on attributed charisma and leadership performance of Donald Trump; and negative effects of maladaptive narcissism on attributed charisma and leadership performance of Donald Trump. Perceived adaptive and maladaptive narcissism had indirect effects on leadership performance (through attributed charisma). The contributions made to the literature, implications of the findings, and directions for future research are discussed.

Keywords

U.S. president leadership charisma narcissism performance

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