When power and ego soar too high

I have spoken before about how dealing with a narcissist is not easy. They think only of themselves, their name and their legacy. They refuse to acknowledge the harm they cause, dismissing criticism as either admiration or ignorance. In their minds, they are always right, and anyone who disagrees is simply incapable of understanding their “greatness.”A narcissist is wrong most of the time, but they do not see their mistakes—nor do they want to. They reject any suggestion that they might be wrong because, to them, they are infallible.If a narcissist is just an ordinary person, ignoring them is relatively easy. However, when they hold a position of power, their influence can be devastating. Their unchecked decisions can create chaos, destroy institutions and harm countless lives.Read: Is it possible to work with a narcissist?I have dealt with many narcissists, and my approach has always been to keep interactions superficial and firm, avoiding deep engagement or any attempt to change them.I have also worked with narcissists in leadership positions. In those cases, my strategy was to educate those around me about their behaviour and intentions. In some instances, we were able to remove one from power due to their toxic leadership, threats and manipulative tactics. They thrived on undermining others, creating a hostile environment and turning the workplace into an unbearable battleground.All of this is manageable—until the narcissist is a head of state. That is when the real catastrophe begins. When someone with unchecked narcissism controls a country, their decisions become unilateral, reckless and destructive. Their actions harm not only their own nation but also their neighbors. They rule with blatant dictatorship, wrapped in a thin disguise of democracy, upheld by a circle of sycophants who enable their every move, not out of loyalty, but out of fear and self-preservation.A narcissistic leader is treacherous, willing to betray even their closest allies for personal gain while pretending to act in the best interest of the people. In reality, they are obsessed with their own legacy, desperate to have their name recorded in history—no matter the cost.A narcissist’s inability to empathize is not just a flaw; it is a ticking time bomb. Their relentless pursuit of personal glory makes them willing to destroy everything around them.By nature, a narcissist is arrogant beyond reason, convinced they are superior to all. They expect unwavering loyalty, applause and admiration—even when they are catastrophically wrong. Their self-worth is built on belittling others, as making people feel small is the only way they can feel grand.What many people fail to realize is that narcissists are empty inside. Beneath their arrogance lies deep insecurity. They lack the courage to stand firm in the face of true resistance.A narcissist will back down from reckless decisions when met with equal or greater opposition—but they will always try to spin their retreat as a victory. That is why it is sometimes strategic to allow them small, meaningless “wins” to encourage them to step away from disastrous choices.The only way to stop a narcissist is through unity and unwavering resistance. Backing down only fuels their delusions of superiority. To them, diplomacy and compromise are not strengths—they are weaknesses to exploit. A narcissist does not truly understand the world around them; they are blind to reality, lost in the illusion of their own greatness. And that illusion, if left unchecked, can lead to disaster.I speak with anger and burning sorrow for what is happening around me.I speak with a heart that beats with love and worry for a country that has given us everything.But in the end, I know that everyone will disappear and fade away, but Canada will remain strong.My prayers and my heart are with you, Canada.Dr. Jabir Jassam is a family physician in Ottawa.

When power and ego soar too high

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