Narcissists often position themselves as the “kings and queens of drama,” thriving in environments where they can stir up conflict, create tension, and command attention. This need for drama is deeply rooted in their desire for control, validation, and emotional stimulation. By positioning themselves at the center of every crisis, they ensure that all eyes are on them, feeding their insatiable need for recognition and dominance.
Their ability to magnify minor issues into major events allows them to manipulate those around them, keeping everyone off-balance and focused on the narcissist’s whims and desires. Whether it’s by creating conflict, playing the victim, or instigating disputes, they excel at turning any situation into a dramatic spectacle that serves their interests.
In a way, this drama is like their personal stage, where they perform the roles of hero, victim, or even villain, all depending on what garners the most attention and control in that moment. The chaos they create keeps others occupied, distracted, and often too preoccupied to challenge their authority or see through their manipulations.
Ultimately, recognizing this behavior for what it is—a deliberate tactic to maintain power and control—can help you avoid getting caught up in their endless cycle of drama.
A Page From My Life
I’ve had the experience of being around quite a few narcissistic individuals, and many of them could indeed be classified as clinically diagnosed narcissists. They were always at the center of drama, whether directly or indirectly. They all thrived upon drama, and they always seemed bored when there was no drama.
If those narcissists of my past could settle upon being at peace, they’d always choose drama instead. In fact, one narcissistic individual who comes to mind as it relates to drama is a former coworker. This coworker was notorious for creating drama no matter how trivial. They were always at the center of any chaos and disorder within the workplace. Sometimes, I could see what appeared to be wheels within their eyes turning as they seemed to be thinking up a multitude of ways to instigate chaos and disorder within the workplace.
Creating Fear Over A Storm
During the time of a storm that was projected to cause major rainfall and strong high winds, this narcissistic coworker talked incessantly about the effects of this storm to the point that their claims aroused a lot of fear in some of the other coworkers.
As long as anyone would feed into the drama of the narcissistic coworker’s stories about the storm, then more drama continued throughout the work day regarding it. Once the fear-mongering from this narcissistic coworker’s stories about the storm got out of control, many coworkers unnecessarily left work early for the day.
The area I live in is nowhere near the coast. So, I wasn’t too worried at all about heavy rains and high winds. I figured that being at work somewhat placed me out of danger, but to hear the coworker talk about the storm made me seriously question if the coastline had been conveniently moved to put the area directly in the storm’s pathway.
Although there were high winds that knocked down quite a few tree limbs and heavy rain that caused major flooding, to hear the coworker speak on the facts of the storm made it seem as if there was far greater damaged caused by the storm’s impact. This coworker made it seem as if the area was under the destruction of a deadly tornado and that there was no land in sight because it was all covered by flood waters.
The special effects this coworker added to highlight the impact of the storm and it’s potential for damage actually caused some coworkers so much concern that many decided to leave work early. Although this coworker kept claiming they were going to leave work early as well, they actually remained at work the entire shift.
In fact, one of this coworker’s closest flying monkey pals decided to leave work early after an emotional upheaval that could have been prevented had this flying monkey considered being rational about the situation involving the storm. Although there was minimal flooding, the narcissistic coworker made it seem as if we were living in the time of Noah’s ark and needed to run into a huge ship for cover.
The narcissistic coworker’s outlandish details of impending danger created such worry and fear within their flying monkey, that the flying monkey became emotionally volatile to the point that they lashed out at one of the team leads. Eventually, the flying monkey became so flustered that they abruptly left the shift.
As the drama within the workplace unfolded regarding the storm, I took note that once the flying monkey left early, the narcissistic coworker massively toned down on their drama fueled instigations regarding the storm and remained silent for the duration of the shift. I sensed that this coworker had accomplished getting what they wanted on some level, but because there was no one else willing to feed into the fear-mongering that this coworker’s drama created, this coworker was unable to keep themselves the center of attention.
Fighting Fear-Mongering with Peace
When questioning me about my desire to leave work early on the day of the storm, I told the narcissistic coworker that in the case of a natural disaster, there was not much I could do and that if my prayers to God for protection weren’t enough, then I’d just suffer my fate. I further explained that I didn’t see the sense in getting all emotional for no reason when I had no control over the events. I referenced that becoming emotional over events that were beyond my control was wasting time and energy that I could better reserve for doing my job.
I further reiterated to the coworker that I felt at peace. Frankly, I simply didn’t feel the need to get caught up within this coworker’s manufactured drama. The area we live in had experienced a multitude of storms before. So this particular storm wasn’t unusual event, but this coworker made it seemed as if it was the complete opposite.
Once the narcissistic coworker saw that I wasn’t moved, they pulled back on talking with me about it at all. In fact, once this coworker noticed that another possible flying monkey was following my lead, this coworker must have felt outnumbered and remained quiet about the situation unless someone else was around. Then they turned to talking in over-exxagerations about the storm to work up a frenzy.
When The Crazymaking Settles
At some point during a break, I went outside to see that we weren’t a part of Noah’s ark and the land was very visible. It was hardly even raining during my break time, and all the fuss the narcissistic coworker made everyone leaving the workplace early was wrought to nothing but their fears projected onto everyone.
Unfortunately, some people took the bait and settled into the fearmongering and left work. Although I think it’s better to be safe than sorry, I also think much attention needs to be paid to how one feels in that moment regarding their own intuition regarding situations. Allowing one person to dictate what one should do in a possible emergency is crazy especially when that one person is moved by emotions and not using sound reasoning.
In the end, I believe we were all much safer remaining within the work space rather than going out to brave flooding, but also dangerous, waters in bad weather. Listening to that coworker and allowing the projection of their fears onto me could have led to a potentially unsafe situation. I’m glad I wasn’t moved and didn’t listen.
Also, the fact that this coworker never left the shift says a lot. They were all about the drama as opposed to actually doing something about it. In fact, I later realized they were waiting for me to make a move. Once they noted that I was unmoved by the chaos they were creating within the atmosphere, they eventually toned down and didn’t talk to me anymore about it. On the flip side, I also realized that they didn’t even have a way home.
My Voice Unchained 