I joined a political party in my youth, with the intention of someday becoming an elected politician. But after about a year watching elected politicians do their job, I decided that was not an occupation for me. But I was content to be working behind the scenes, not really dealing with the public, but supposedly being influential in other ways. I stayed in politics for the next five years; then slowly I lost faith.

For sure, people with narcissistic tendencies are attracted to the political life. They enjoy being front and center as much as possible. But there are too many of them in this occupation — and this holds us back.

There are good people in politics. There would be more good people in politics if they didn’t have to deal with so many narcissists.