Beneath the disarming facade and mesmerizing charm, the narcissist is calculating his next winning moves. Whether personal or professional, he/she is always focused on enhancing his image, power, reach and material largesse. Friendships are leveraged to place him in a higher social and professional tier of power and influence. Narcissists are single minded and ruthless in achieving their goals. They act without mercy, compassion, or empathy. It is not unusual for them to purposely marry someone who will provide them with social access to the accoutrements that these venues provide. Marriage is an arrangement, a business deal. Narcissists tend to marry numerous times, have many boyfriends/girlfriends and pursue other intimate relationships and flings on the side.
Narcissists are often treacherous in their personal and business dealings. “Treachery is a profound betrayal of trust that causes grave harm to another human being.” Treachery is a brutal double-cross. Without conscience or guilt, the narcissist is free to treat people as puppets in his life drama.
In business the narcissist is brutal and predatory. Many narcissists are highly litigious. They have small armies of attorneys on hand to sue those whom they perceive are obstacles to their goals whether it is rational, moral, ethical or legal. If they are high-level narcissists who have enjoyed worldly success, they are able to intimidate even those who have legitimate legal grievances against them. With their monetary heft they use clever lawyers who find the legal loophole that will win their case. If the injured party will not back off, the narcissist will counter-sue his adversary. The aggrieved person is left without recourse. He is unable to take the financial risk of a lengthy court battle and an unknown verdict.
In their personal lives, narcissists psychologically and monetarily abuse their families, leaving wives/husbands, mistresses, boyfriends, girlfriends, and children to fend for themselves. They often conceal their assets from ex-wives and ex-husbands and their children by cleverly placing them in off-shore investments. Narcissists are unconcerned about the severe psychological and monetary consequences of their treacherous behaviors. They have moved on to create another life that will fulfill their grandiose dreams.
It is difficult for many people to believe that some human beings can be so calculating, so treacherous. The narcissist learned from childhood that human consequences don’t matter, that the feelings of others are immaterial, that everyone is expendable. Developing an awareness and understanding of the dynamics of the narcissistic personality disorder is a wise decision.