Research estimates vary, suggesting 8–12% of CEOs may be highly narcissistic, while many others display milder traits along a spectrum.
Below is a URL to a recent article that goes into detail as research done on CEOs who exhibit narcissistic traits.
Article Published 9/7/2026:
https://thebalance.clinic/resources/mental-health/narcissism/ceos-and-narcissism/
@em They are much more than type a personalities; they are monsters that would probably eat their own young if the price was right. They are very dangerous people. Definitely not saying you should fear them, just that you should watch out for them.
Just as you said, their personalities is what got them into the CEO chair. Very same could probably be said for serial k***ers.
Can you imagine how many persons that CEOs had to step on to get where they are today. A lot of destroyed lives. Somehow we consider it legal to do the harm they do. Horrifying to think of!
This is not really a surprise. Many C-Suite people are very 'Type A' personalities, which is what seems to get them to that chair in the first place. That narcissism would be a part of that is not really shocking.