Toxic Cultures: How Narcissistic Leaders Undermine Psychological Safety

A growing body of research has documented the negative impact narcissistic leaders can have on the organizations they lead. Studies have shown that when in positions of authority, grandiose narcissists often have subordinates who are frustrated, fearful, less willing to share information, and less satisfied with their jobs. In two studies, we contribute to this research by showing how narcissistic leaders create environments that are lower in psychological safety. We further show that these effects are exacerbated because narcissistic leaders are also more likely to create organizational cultures that are less collaborative and place less emphasis on integrity. We discuss the implications of these findings for future research on leadership.