EPISODE 2: ‘The Narcissistic Boss’
Power. Fear. Control.
What happens when someone in power leads not from empathy or collaboration, but from a desperate need for control?
In Episode 2 of Narcissism At Work, we’re talking about narcissistic bosses, those who create chaos to feel in control, use fear to maintain authority, and leave entire teams walking on eggshells.
And it’s not always obvious. These leaders might appear charming or visionary on the outside. But behind the scenes, they’re known to twist the truth, move the goalposts, take credit for your work, and emotionally and mentally destabilise the team. Not because it’s productive, but because it makes them feel safe.
What can you expect in episode 02: ‘The narcissistic boss’?
Through real stories and clinical insight from psychologist Dr. Daksha Hirani, we break down:
Tactics of Control: How narcissistic bosses use gaslighting, micromanagement, emotional manipulation, moving goalposts, and blame-shifting to maintain dominance.
Fear-Based Leadership: Why they instil instability and fear to keep people compliant and dependent.
Psychological Impact: From burnout and anxiety to self-doubt, trauma and PTSD
Red Flags: Early warning signs that your boss may be more than just “difficult.”
Daksha’s Clinical Insight: How to recognise abusive patterns earlier, protect your wellbeing and begin to plan your exit strategy
Why are we talking about narcissistic bosses?
Because too many people have normalised toxic leadership. Narcissistic traits in the workplace often get mistaken for confidence, charisma, or "high standards." But behind the scenes, they erode psychological safety, pit colleagues against each other, and leave people doubting their worth and abilities.
We’ve heard the same story too many times:
“They made me feel like I was the problem.”
“I kept overperforming just to feel safe.”
“My anxiety was through the roof, but I thought it was just me.”
These patterns are widespread, harmful, and rarely challenged, especially when the person causing harm is in a position of power. By naming what’s happening, we give people the tools to protect themselves, challenge the status quo, and prioritise their wellbeing.
If we don’t talk about narcissistic bosses, we risk more people burning out, checking out, or internalising shame that never belonged to them in the first place.
Why it matters
Because work shouldn’t cost you your confidence, your mental health, or your sense of self. When narcissistic bosses dominate a team, they don’t just create bad management, they create long-term harm. Their need for control often leads to a culture of fear, confusion, and emotional instability. Teams stop collaborating. Innovation dries up. People walk on eggshells, burning out in silence.
This isn’t just a “bad boss” problem. It’s a systemic issue that disproportionately affects those with less power at work, whether due to race, gender, seniority, or class. And too often, the people most harmed are the ones who are blamed, silenced, or gaslit.
Understanding how narcissism operates in leadership helps us:
Spot the red flags early
Build boundaries that protect our peace
Support others who might feel trapped or isolated
Recover and rebuild after harm has been done
Because calling it what it is, abuse masked as ambition, is the first step to making work safer and more human for everyone.
Resources & Further Support
Listen to all episodes: otherbox.co/podcast
Learn more about narcissism, burnout, and protective tools in our Diversity Dictionary course: otherbox.co/education
Subscribe, share, and rate the podcast on Spotify, Acast or wherever you listen.
Whether you’re just starting to question a toxic dynamic or deep into your healing, we hope this podcast helps you name it, understand it, and start to heal from it. Because work should work for you.
———
Narcissism At Work podcast is out now and is available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Check out our resources page here for support. Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with Other Box.
