This Syndrome of Narcissism, I did not know exists until well into retirement.It can be simple.
It can be Complex.
Thankfully, I never met a narcissist guy all my life in my medical career.
I think we have a system to eliminate them in "Our Training".
I do not know whether the system has broken down, at present.
Lack of empathy and grandiosity are the two elements I would expand here out of many other features.
One can see one cannot become a healer if a doctor does possess these features.
The guy or girl assumes that he or she is the focus of attention or importance while possessing these qualities.
We have on in United Kingdom
One in France and one in Germany.
A guy with narcissist gestures is like a bull in a china shop.
He cannot become a diplomat.
1. Most politicians carry this trait.
This they manifest as leadership.
Like foot soldiers they need devout followers who do not question them but follow orders blindly.
2. Military Leaders also have this tendency and some of them end up as failed politicians.
3. Top Bankers have this tendency.
They are the most dangerous and one cannot detect them easily until the venture capital crashes.
5. Lawyers have this tendency.
To become a good justice one has to drop this narcissistic tendency and unfortunately some of them end up as narcissists.
6. Most Tuition Masters carry this trade.
I leave it at that.
7. Police officers have this trait
8. Prison officers have this trait and some of them are the worst.
9. Priests should not have this trait but unfortunately some of them in Ceylon are the worst.
10. Some Drug peddlers have this tendency.
Abuse of drug that affect doctors and nurses equally and is an entirely different kettle of fish.
This Zelensky guy and some of the European Leaders who were abused (enticed than abused) by drugs by Zelensky in a very recent episode while Russians were celebrating their 80th War Memorial, is a case in point.
These three leaders a disgrace to world peace.
They are war mongers.
11. I did not know the chief of our laboratory was a narcissist until his son told me.
They can hide their trait cleverly.
My careful analysis later proved the son was right in his assessment.
I managed to catch a group of guys who were pilfering industrial alcohol red handed.
This guy did a dirty thing to save them before I could inform the Registrar of the Medical Faculty and seal the contents.
I did not ask him, even to type a letter for me.
Instead I learned how to type (two finger method).
Then there was a guy who was stealing microscopic lens.
I caught him red handed and immediately transferred away from our department.
Told the professor in charge and he dictated the letter to this "Chief Guy".
I decided never to join the University while these guys were working there.
I of course, had a set of guys trained by me for my work, when I rejoined well past fifty.
This guy had all the features.
He possessed grandiosity.
On reflection, Yes he had no empathy for the Institution or the Country.
The funny part was on overseas training, he followed the institutional laws to the red letter.
I told him that I am going to write these events and incidents in one of my books (36 guys, good, bad and ugly, I me while working in Ceylon).
It is published at Amazon Books.
If you have to work under guy or girl with narcissism before you get mad or breakdown leave the place at first opportunity.
Narcissism is common
Features of narcissism are manifold.
It is very difficult to detect since many who have this syndrome do not subject themselves to proper examination.
I am not a psychologist but I heard this syndrome from a young
guy whose father used to be the chief technician in the pathology
laboratory.
I never had any contact with this technician except when he asked me for a research project,
I duly obliged with a simple project.
I did some corrections in his work but I did not listen to his presentation when it was delivered
He needed this for his promotion.
Looking back, he is a typical narcissist but he cleverly hid his traits.
By the way, I did not know about his son but one day he
introduced him to me on the street and mentioned that he needs to do a
research project.
I told them that I do not discuss projects on the street but one need to make a proper appointment.
On a subsequent day, with a nice pot of Mesna Tea I had a brief discussion and told him we would do a combine project and he need not worry.
Project was on Linux!
About narcissists some of the features are;
1. Sense of self importance.
2. Preoccupation with power not leadership.
3. Preoccupation of beauty (both sexes are involved and females are the worst) and external appearance.
This guy dyes his facial hair well past 80.
I worked with one of them (female) in UK and it lasted only 6 months.
I used to do funny things to unsettle her.
One day this huge lady on high heels fell flat on the ground in the ward.
I was behind her and I had hearty laugh!
I have worked with several other nice female consultants before
her and I judged her as a neurotic, then but on reflection now, she
fits the category of a typical narcissist.
4. Lack empathy.
5. Arrogant.
6. Impulsive
Unfortunately many of them end up as BAD Managers.
7. Exploitative for their own gain.
8. Try to be around with people who are supposed to be important or special.
9. Want to be celebrated of importance (in a sing song, dance, presentation or a pep talk)
10. Want to be admired for no reason or merits.
There are many other subtle features.
Moment one notices them try to avoid them since they slit you behind your back!
They are basically self centered!