Narcissists want the authority of a king but carry the accountability of a child. They crave power, admiration, and control. They want the spotlight and the final word, like someone ruling a kingdom. But the moment responsibility shows up, the moment their actions have consequences, they fall apart. They demand respect without earning it. Obedience without offering consideration. Everything revolves around what they want, when they want it, with no awareness of the damage left behind.
Accountability doesn’t exist in their world. Mistakes are never theirs. Hurt feelings are always someone else’s problem. Feedback isn’t information, it’s an attack. Growth would require self reflection, and that’s where they shut down. They avoid responsibility the same way a child avoids bedtime… by denying, deflecting, or throwing emotional tantrums until the focus shifts away from them.
The difference is, this isn’t harmless behavior. The fallout doesn’t end with frustration or noise. It destroys trust. It erodes relationships. It leaves emotional wreckage that takes years to heal. Their immaturity doesn’t just inconvenience people… it wounds them.
They want the throne without doing the work. Reverence without respect. Loyalty without being loyal. It’s a fantasy built on entitlement, and anyone close to them gets pulled into the chaos. Because a space ruled by a narcissist isn’t grounded in safety or mutual care… it’s ruled by fear, confusion, and constant emotional imbalance. The only outcome that matters to them is winning, regardless of who gets hurt along the way.