Today, dealing with narcissistic manipulation tactics and con artist schemes is essential. Learning to recognize and deal with them can protect you from being exploited. It might even save a nation.
Imagine a world where a leader’s ego dictates every decision. Personal grudges shape national policies. The truth often twists to boost self-image. This is the reality when a narcissist assumes control. The slippery slope of narcissism is dangerous.
When a person with narcissistic traits gains power, the effects can be wide-ranging and harmful. If you know politics, you can spot a leader who uses narcissistic manipulation. They shape governance, sway public opinion, and have a negative impact on international relations.
Understanding these tactics helps us see the risks. We can also manage narcissistic people in power more effectively. Now, let’s look at the tactics linked to narcissistic behavior and deceptive leadership.
Manipulation Tactics of a Narcissist
Narcissism is one of the ten major personality disorders. The DSM (1) is the bible of psychology, which describes personality disorders. Narcissists, psychopaths, sociopaths, and megalomaniacs share many of the same behaviors. Clinicians use these terms interchangeably. Whatever you call them, they have a lack of conscience and empathy.
The manipulation tactics of a narcissist have lasting harmful effects. They often leave people feeling confused, disrespected, and emotionally drained. These behaviors can erode trust, cause self-doubt, and create toxic relationships.
But if a narcissist understands the harm their behaviors cause and want to change, they can get help. Therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy, offers many benefits. It helps people be more self-aware. They can face harmful habits and improve their relationships with others. Change is tough. It takes a firm commitment to improve yourself. But with the proper support, you can heal. You can also build better, more caring relationships.
Manipulation Tactics and Con Artist Schemes
The term “con man or artist” comes from “confidence artist.” This is a person who uses tricks to gain others’ trust. They persuade people to believe things that are not true. A grifter is another term used to describe those who employ these manipulative schemes.
The confidence artist is skilled at manipulation, using charm, and lies to deceive. Their goal is to gain money, power, or control. Confidence artists are actors, they are playing a role to make you believe they’re trustworthy. They might promise big rewards, create a sense of urgency, or make you feel obligated to their goal. These tactics exploit your emotions and vulnerabilities, leaving you feeling duped.
It is not surprising to find that con artist schemes mirror narcissistic manipulation tactics. Both use deception, charm, and emotional manipulation to control others. Narcissists are skilled at distorting reality. They play mind games and exploit others’ weaknesses to boost their egos. Confidence artists develop the ability to gain trust, evoke emotions, and control situations. These talents are often natural for narcissists. Confidence artists seek quick profits. In contrast, narcissists want lasting control and admiration.
When narcissism enters the picture, the stakes are higher. Because of their personality disorder, narcissists grow up practicing these con artist schemes. These tactics are just a part of their natural behavior.
They spin elaborate stories, inflate their worth, and thrive on attention, admiration, and control. They use these tactics to maintain their inflated ego and sense of superiority. The manipulative behaviors are designed to keep others in their grip, feeding their need for validation and power.
The Slippery Slope of Narcissism
It is impossible to distinguish between a narcissist and a person who trains as a confidence artist because they use the same tactics. By practicing manipulation tactics and con artist schemes, you reinforce these behaviors. So, people who practice them become narcissistic.
We see this in business and politics. Many companies teach leadership tactics that rely on psychological manipulation. This rebranding let them push these tactics as emotional intelligence. If a company teaches these techniques, it must balance them with regular ethics training.
The slippery slope of narcissism begins with one tactic that reinforces the harmful trait, and then more and more are added over time. Drugs and alcohol expedite abnormal or violent social behavior. Many serial rapists are psychopaths or sociopaths.
A sociopath is one who sees others as impersonal objects to be manipulated to fulfill their own narcissistic needs. They have no regard for the hurtful consequences of their selfish actions. ― R. Alan Woods, The Journey Is the Destination: A Book of Quotes With Commentaries
These mental disorders culminate in megalomania. This is when someone has delusions of grandeur and an obsession with power. So, they use their narcissism to justify their megalomania. A narcissist does not need to be intelligent to cause damage. Even someone with borderline intelligence can be problematic. It all depends on the sphere of influence. The larger their sphere of influence, the more harmful they are.
For example, psychopaths don’t feel emotion, and they learn to mimic the proper emotional responses. It’s the reason many corporate leaders are psychopaths. A psychopath has limited empathy, so they can make decisions that harm people or the environment without remorse. Sociopaths are the more violent version of narcissists. Sociopaths not only perpetuate violence but also receive enjoyment from doing it.
Here are the favorite tactics of the narcissist. See if you recognize anyone who exhibits these traits and tactics. Need a hint? If you have watched the news since 2015, you will see these used by one prominent political figure.
Dealing with Narcissistic Manipulation Tactics
1. Gaslighting
The term gaslighting comes from the film Gaslight (1944). Here, a husband convinces his wife she’s insane. He creates situations and then claims they aren’t real. He keeps saying she just imagines things. This makes her doubt her sanity.
Gaslighting is one of the favorite manipulation tactics of a narcissist. Here, the manipulator makes the victim doubt their own reality, memories, or perceptions. It is common for them to misrepresent things and mislead, causing indecision and doubt.
The tactics of gaslighting often include emotional manipulation through contradictory behavior. They will abuse and harm, then deny it happened. Often, they’ll say, “I am sorry you feel I did something wrong, but I didn’t.”
An example of gaslighting is when political figures label factual news as “fake” or “dishonest.” This behavior causes doubt and confusion. It makes it harder for people to trust reliable sources of information. Gaslighting can occur in personal situations too. Their actions might leave you feeling distraught and invalidate your emotions. Then they act like you’re overreacting or imagining things.
When dealing with narcissistic manipulation tactics like gaslighting, learn to trust your perception. It’s a good idea to keep a record of events and conversations. It’s also helpful to talk to friends or family members who can offer a perspective that aligns more with what you’ve experienced.
2. Exaggeration and Misrepresentation
Narcissists often exaggerate their achievements and misrepresent facts to appear more impressive. The slippery slope of narcissism often begins with this tactic. Narcissists try to elicit negative emotional responses. They know you are more susceptible to manipulation when you are upset. It can be a part of the gaslighting technique, but it is most often used in groups or crowds where they have an audience to incite with emotional rhetoric.
Groupthink tactics like self-hypnosis and group hypnosis can influence groups. These are key tools used in religion and religion-based politics. The strategy is to cause controversies, use lies to create problems, and then provide a scapegoat as a target. Repeat as necessary.
The more they repeat it, the better it works. Narcissists need to be the center of everything. No matter what you have done, they have done it better. Outlandish conspiracy theories are the trademark of this tactic.
For example, a well-known public figure often makes claims about their achievements. They assert they are a self-made billionaire. In reality, their family’s wealth played a huge part in their financial success. This exaggeration extends to rally crowd sizes and created significant economic changes. But the facts didn’t back up those claims. These exaggerations make them seem more successful or popular than they are. This helps them control the story and keep their followers loyal.
When you encounter someone who exaggerates, it’s essential to ask questions and look up the facts. If their claims don’t align with reality, it’s often a red flag. These lies and exaggerations are manipulation tactics and con artist schemes.
3. Projecting a False Image
Narcissists are experts at projecting an image of themselves that’s almost entirely fabricated. They create a persona that makes them seem perfect, successful, or admirable, but it’s usually all smoke and mirrors. Their false image often hides their vulnerabilities, failures, and mistakes. They like to present themselves as exceptional in ways that align with their need for admiration and approval.
A false self-image acts as a key defense. Therefore, people with this disorder often exaggerate their wealth and intellect. Grifters like to portray themselves as experts. They often demand admiration and acceptance, seeing themselves as invincible, above the law.
Narcissists are consumed with maintaining a shallow false self to others. They’re emotionally crippled souls that are addicted to attention. Because of this, they use a multitude of games in order to receive adoration. Sadly, they are the most ungodly of God’s creations because they don’t show remorse for their actions, take steps to make amends, or have empathy for others. They are morally bankrupt. ― Shannon L. Alder
For instance, our same well-known personality built a public persona as a savvy business person and entrepreneur. Looking into their background shows that their success came from family financial support. They also like to leave out any negative aspects of their past, like bankruptcy or shady deals, and focus only on their “successes.”
This kind of self-presentation helps narcissists control their image. It makes them look more impressive than they really are. When someone constantly presents themselves as flawless or untouchable, it’s worth inspecting. Often, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes that they’re not showing.
4. Denying Responsibility
One of the most frustrating manipulation tactics of a narcissist is their refusal to take responsibility. Anything that goes wrong is always someone else’s fault. Their first response is to shift the blame to others, deflecting attention away from their mistakes or failures. This is because they believe they’re always right and incapable of doing anything wrong. If something bad happens, it’s always someone else’s fault.
An example of this is when a public figure refused to take responsibility for their mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. They made the mistake of removing funding for the pandemic teams, which helped us avoid these outbreaks. Instead of taking responsibility for the crisis, they blamed others. They targeted state governors, other countries, and even past administrations. This kind of behavior is typical of narcissists who cannot handle criticism or admit that they might not be perfect.
When someone won’t take responsibility and blames others, it is a sign of narcissistic behavior. Don’t let them shift the blame or make you feel you’re the one who’s at fault.
5. Enjoys Causing Harm
Narcissists often seem to take pleasure in causing emotional or psychological harm to others. This is because they thrive on control and power, and seeing someone else suffer reinforces their own sense of superiority. They may insult, belittle, or humiliate others, not out of malice but because they enjoy the feeling of being dominant and in control.
A tragic example of this behavior is the way a political would mock those with disabilities. They would call political opponents derogatory names or ridicule their appearance. This kind of behavior makes the target feel small, but it also serves the narcissist’s need for validation. By cutting others down, they elevate themselves in the eyes of their followers.
If someone often puts you down, it shows they may enjoy your pain. Protect yourself by setting boundaries. Distance yourself from those who bring negativity.
6. Manipulates Through Exploitation and Domination
Narcissists use others to achieve their own goals, often through manipulation and control. This exploitation can take many forms, including emotional, financial, and social manipulation. Narcissists find and take advantage of their victims’ vulnerabilities. This causes victims to feel they must fulfill the narcissist’s needs.
Boasting is another common way they reinforce their self-image. Grifters use deception, pressuring, and targeting emotional or physical defects to cause pain. Narcissists are bullies who want to be feared. They enjoy dominating everything, including people and conversations.
In business or politics, a narcissist may use their role to manipulate and pressure people for favors or leverage their power to get what they want. A famous case showed someone pressuring a foreign government. They wanted the government to investigate a political rival. To do this, they withheld military aid. This kind of exploitation is all about maintaining control and using people as pawns in a larger game.
Recognizing this kind of manipulation is crucial. It can help you avoid being exploited or taken advantage of. If someone is trying to make you feel you owe them something or that you can’t say no, trust your instincts and set firm boundaries.
7. Breaks the Law
Narcissists often believe they are above the rules and laws that apply to everyone else. Their entitlement and disregard for ethics can drive them to act illegally or unethically to reach their goals. This behavior stems from their belief that they deserve special treatment and are immune to consequences.
The individual we use as an example has a history of obstructing justice and escaping it through manipulation. He has faced numerous campaign and financial scandals and lost lawsuits for crossing ethical lines. These actions show how narcissists will break laws or bend rules to protect themselves, even if it causes harm to others.
If you spot someone disregarding laws or ethical standards, it’s important to keep your distance, document everything and don’t be timid about addressing their behavior.
8. Mimics False Emotional Affect
Narcissists don’t genuinely feel emotions like empathy, but they’re great at mimicking them. They learn how to fake emotions—whether it’s sadness, concern, or joy—to manipulate others. This emotional performance draws attention, gain sympathy, or get people to do what they want.
A narcissist might say they care about social issues like poverty or healthcare. But when it’s time to act, they don’t follow through. Their displays of emotion are a calculated attempt to appear kind and caring. But really, it’s just a performance.
If you see someone using emotion as a tool to manipulate or control others, it’s a red flag. Pay attention to their actions, not just their words, to see if they’re sincere.
9. Triangulation
Triangulation is a tactic used to manipulate people by creating conflicts between people. This ensures that others remain loyal to them. They can involve a third party in their interactions. This helps them manipulate relationships. It also creates competition or rivalry. This tactic helps the narcissist isolate their victims. This makes the victims more dependent on the narcissist and less likely to trust others.
A classic example of triangulation is when a narcissist turns two people against each other. This creates tension or rivalry that didn’t exist before. They may use social media or gossip to stir up conflict, knowing it gives them more power. They maintain their position as the center of attention by keeping everyone at odds.
If you see someone always trying to stir up drama or conflict, this could be triangulation. Try to stay neutral and communicate directly with everyone involved to avoid falling into their trap.
10. Love Bombing
Love bombing is when someone with excessive attention, affection, or praise, usually early in a relationship. The goal is to create a sense of emotional dependence, making the target feel special and important. Once the narcissist has the person hooked, they’ll pull back and become more demanding, manipulative, or critical.
This behavior is common in personal relationships but can also happen in business or politics. A narcissist may give you lots of compliments or attention. They do this to gain your loyalty. Later, they might use that bond to manipulate or exploit you.
If someone is being overly affectionate or complimentary too quickly, it’s important to be cautious. Narcissists are experts at using charm to gain control, so take your time getting to know them before fully trusting them.
11. Projection
Projection is a defense mechanism. Narcissists blame others for their own negative traits, feelings, or behaviors. They project their flaws onto others. This shifts focus from their own problems. It also makes the victim feel responsible for the narcissist’s issues. This tactic lets narcissists keep their self-image. It also makes others feel guilty or defensive.
A famous political personality is known for accusing others of lying or being corrupt. Yet, they had acted in similar ways themselves. This kind of projection is a defense mechanism, allowing narcissists to avoid facing their own faults.
If someone constantly projects their issues onto others, be aware that they may be trying to cover up their mistakes.
Protecting Yourself
When dealing with a narcissist, it’s essential to protect your emotional well-being. Here’s how you can safeguard yourself and avoid the slippery slope of narcissism and con artist schemes:
1. Distance Yourself. Distance yourself from their influence. This can be emotional, mental, or physical. If you cannot remove yourself physically, try to ignore the mental tactics they employ. For example, imagine them wearing clown outfits and blowing bubbles as they speak. Keep telling yourself you are onto their tricks.
2. Spend Time Alone. Find quiet moments to recharge. Go for a walk, meditate, or just take some time to reflect and reset. When possible, spend time outdoors in nature. A place untouched by man’s hand is ideal. It will ground you. Do this before you act out of emotion. Staying grounded is one of the best defenses against their manipulation.
3. Stay Grounded and Meditate. Engage yourself (and others) in spiritual exploration. Re-focus your meditative practice (Japa, TM, Yoga, etc.) Pay attention to your inner voice. Trust your instincts, and don’t let the manipulation tactics of a narcissist shake your confidence.
4. Limit Exposure to Negativity. It can wear you down if you’re constantly exposed to their manipulations. Minimize your exposure to their negative influence. Avoid negative social media, news, and religion on TV and radio. It is especially true if the megalomaniac uses these tools to spread fear and hate. Unfortunately, most learn this is a medium ripe for misuse.
5. Learn About Personality Traits. Educating yourself about narcissistic behavior can help you recognize it in others and avoid getting sucked in. Study the Enneagram and enhance your observational skills.
6. Take Action. If you’re dealing with a narcissist, take immediate action to protect yourself. Set clear boundaries, stand your ground, and don’t engage in their manipulative games.
Conclusion
We’ve explored ways of dealing with narcissistic manipulation tactics and con artist schemes. We show how the traits and tactics of narcissistic confidence artists are virtually the same. Here, we used examples from prominent, influential political figure to illustrate these behaviors. We discussed spotting signs of manipulation. These signs included red flags like unrealistic promises, inconsistencies, and pressure to act. We also covered behavioral cues, such as a lack of empathy and excessive charm. We shared ways to protect yourself. Here are some strategies: set boundaries, verify information, and seek support.
It’s crucial to stay vigilant and trust your instincts when dealing with potential con artists and narcissists. Learn to shield yourself from the manipulation tactics of a narcissist and avoid exploitation. Just look for the signs and know their tactics. Set clear boundaries. Check facts from different sources. Also, reach out to trusted friends, family, or professionals for support. Your well-being is important. Taking steps can help you deal with manipulative people better.
Stay informed, stay empowered, and prioritize your mental and emotional health. If you suspect someone is trying to manipulate you, take action to safeguard yourself and seek help if needed. Learn to avoid the slippery slope of narcissism and narcissists. Together, we can create a more aware and resilient community.
References
(1) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR): Psychologyonline.org