Coping with Toxic Managers, Subordinates…and Other Difficult People

Chapter 2. Grandiose Managers

Legends in Their Own Minds

Grandiose managers are legends in their own minds. Preoccupied with their exaggerated accomplishments and grandiose expectations for the future, they expect others to revere them—in fact, they insist upon it. They think a lot about themselves and talk a lot about themselves, since no other subject is as important or interesting. Constantly boasting, they resemble peacocks strutting around with their tail feathers unfurled.

The self-glorification of grandiose managers is part of a larger picture of dysfunction—the various aspects of a narcissistic personality. Like all varieties of narcissistic managers, grandiose managers lack empathy for others and have little if any conscience. They ...