Wisdom from an Empath: Books I Read in 2026, Vol. III

EGO AT THE HELM: The Hidden Cost of Narcissism in Leadership
Robert A. Damon

In [this book, the author] pulls back the curtain on an extraordinarily painful season he endured, and shares lessons learned. He paints a compelling and disturbing picture of a narcissist who wounded countless people, including his own family. Robert's description of the events will leave you a little breathless, but the story is not just about identifying the danger but also dealing with the destructive aftermath. To all who have been pushed out by a narcissist, or who are trying to outlast a narcissist, there are vital nuggets of encouragement, hope, and wisdom throughout this book. Read through these insights thoughtfully and prayerfully and integrate these principles into your life (~Dr. David Timms, from the Foreword).

I bought this book because I know the author; used to be his co-worker during my final youth ministry gig. We even shared an office. What he writes about took place in the church he went to after leaving where we were, and I confess to being grateful I didn't have to go through it with him. It sounds absolutely horrible, and yet he not only lived through it, but grew because of it and became a major pathfinder toward the church's healing.

Bob has always been an empathetic pastor, and he demonstrates both aspects of that two-word phrase throughout the pages of this book. He doesn't just recount his experiences under narcissistic leadership; he provides wise counsel and practical resources to help others in a similar boat.

First Line: Narcissism is a growing issue for organizations, especially when leadership roles require visible trust and interaction with the community to achieve mission success.

Page 56 / Line 5: Personally, I have come to realize that while there are many causes for discouragement in all this, I have several major disappointments that will require time and effort to overcome.

A Good Line from Somewhere in the Middle: Narcissism is not the same as being self-centered or selfish; there is a fine distinction here.

Last Line: May that never be true when talking about faith-based leadership, and may our informed leadership be a benchmark for others coming behind us to face successes and challenges with humor, grace, and tact.