The old myth describes an aspect of narcissistic dynamics that often remains in the background today when we speak about narcissistic behaviour: the role of Echo or the role of those affected. Narcissus becomes aware of the idealizing Echo, but loses interest when he has the feeling that she is parroting everything after him. It is not possible for him to respond to the desire of his counterpart, he turns away when it becomes exhausting for him. Echo, on the other hand, cannot find a language to express her concern appropriately and can only stammer and repeat what the radiant Narcissus says. The two cannot come into contact. It ends dramatically.

The storytelling of mythology refers here to a communication problem that is often the cause of a wide variety of disruptions in cooperation, even in modern organizations. Experience has shown that leaders or HR still have little expertise in dealing with narcissistic behaviours. It creates a lot of suffering among those affected, who in turn find little hearing in the organization.

This is the starting point of an awareness event for HR managers, leaders and teams, in which the different patterns of action of narcissistic personalities and their counterparts are worked out. Practical exercises are used to show alternative, constructive approaches and behaviours that fit into one‘s role in the organization. Please get in touch with Andreas to receive further information on this: al@liveyourstrategy.com.