ERIC Number: EJ1482945
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Sep
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-0175
EISSN: EISSN-2162-6057
Available Date: 2025-08-19
The Best Is the Enemy of the Good: The Paradoxical Impact of Narcissism on Creativity in Leader-Follower Dynamics
Xueling Wang1; Qingjin Wang1; Tian Lan1; Huang Chen1; Zhengrui Li1; Qian Cui2
Journal of Creative Behavior, v59 n3 e70057 2025
Creativity in organizational life is often shaped by complex interpersonal dynamics, especially when it comes to the role of narcissistic traits in leaders and followers. Although past research has examined the individual effects of narcissistic traits on creativity, the powerful interactions between leader and follower narcissistic traits have remained largely overlooked. Addressing this gap, our study draws on trait activation theory and person-environment fit theory to explore how narcissistic alignment--or lack thereof--between leaders and followers influences both positive and malevolent forms of creativity. Through polynomial regression analysis, we reveal intriguing patterns: when leader and follower narcissistic traits are aligned, both types of creativity are amplified. However, a high-leader, low-follower narcissistic trait contrast uniquely enhances positive creativity, whereas a low-leader, high-follower contrast significantly boosts malevolent creativity. We also uncover the role of work autonomy as a critical mediator, shaping how these narcissistic interactions impact creative expression. This study thus sheds new light on the nuanced, often surprising, effects of narcissistic dynamics in fostering creativity within organizations.
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1School of Business, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China; 2Faculty of European Languages, Dalian University of Foreign Languages, Qingdao, Shandong, China

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