What if some of the key traits that drive success… are also at the very core of narcissism? This week on Finding Mastery, we’re joined by Dr. Ramani, clinical psychologist, professor, and one of the world’s foremost experts on narcissism. Dr. Ramani breaks down how narcissism shows up in high performers, why gaslighting is so easily missed, and what we can do to protect ourselves and others from emotional harm. In this episode, we explore: - Why high performers often ignore or excuse narcissistic behavior - The 4 types of narcissism and how they present in daily life - Her 5-step framework for dealing with narcissistic relationships - How gaslighting actually works—and how to name it - The danger of always putting others first Whether you’re leading a team, managing a relationship, or working on your own self-awareness, this episode will help you navigate with more clarity, boundaries, and strength. Dr. Ramani offers one of the most practical frameworks we've encountered for navigating emotionally difficult relationships. CHAPTERS 0:00 Dr. Ramani Introduction 2:25 Dr. Ramani's Origin Story 6:09 Defining Narcissism 8:20 The 5 Core Traits of Narcissism 11:39 Trait #1: Grandiosity 13:09 Trait #2: Pathological Selfishness 13:59 Trait #3: Empathy Deficits 20:20 Distinguishing Healthy Ambition from Narcissism 23:39 Elite Athletes & Narcissism Deep Dive 25:15 Dissociation in Elite Performance 29:25 True Self vs. Fragmented Self 38:40 Narcissism Statistics Worldwide 41:24 Parenting Guidelines 46:48 Recognizing You're in a Narcissistic Relationship 51:22 The Complete 5-Trait Model Explained 58:21 Living with a Narcissist 1:06:28 Gaslighting Explained 1:11:23 Why More Men Are Narcissistic 1:13:45 Book Recommendations & Wrap-up 💥 Support our sponsors and get exclusive discounts: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors 📬 Get weekly insights from Dr. Michael Gervais: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 🧠 Download Dr. Mike’s Morning Mindset Routine: https://www.findingmastery.com/morningmindset #DrRamani #Narcissism #Narcissist #Gaslighting #HighPerformance #EmotionalHealth #FindingMastery #Leadership #Boundaries #Healing #SelfAwareness #narcissisticabuse #narcissisticabuserecovery #relationshipadvice #relationships #npd #narcisssisticpersonalitydissorder