Abstract
Narcissistic leadership is enigmatic, complex, and multifaceted. This article elucidates key considerations enabling human resources practitioners and executive recruiters to carefully assess characteristics and unique situations conducive to success for leaders with narcissistic traits. An understanding of these intricacies is enhanced through use of valid assessment tools, awareness of exemplars that differentiate narcissists at their "best" vs. "worst," and the presence of synergistic traits (e.g., humility) that may offset the deleterious effects of narcissism and prevent leader derailment. The discriminatory impact of implicit gender bias toward female narcissistic leaders is addressed as well as the combined effects of humility with an optimal level of narcissism as a prelude to leadership success.