In ancient Greek mythology, Narcissus was a handsome youth who rejected the advances of a nymph only to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. He spent hours gazing enraptured into the pool and eventually changed into the flower that bears his name today, the narcissus.

If only the tale of young Narcissus had ended with a lesson to be learned about the dangers of excessive selfishness. Unfortunately there have been many persons, including leaders, that have succumbed to the behaviors associated with narcissists. While a certain amount of self-love is necessary for healthy psychological development, the traits found in narcissists move far beyond any balanced view of life. …