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Why does the person nobody wants to work with keep getting promoted?

The boss sees confidence. The team sees an ego. And the person who takes the most credit gets more authority.

In this episode of Crazy Enough to Win, John Grubbs explores why narcissists get promoted and how confidence, dominance, and the appearance of power can influence leadership selection. Drawing on psychological research, he explains why getting chosen as a leader and being effective at leading are two different things.

For CEOs, business owners, and managers, this episode offers practical ways to evaluate promotion candidates, recognize narcissistic behaviors at work, and examine your own leadership blind spots. Learn what to watch for in how someone handles criticism, shares credit, accepts responsibility, and develops others.

Before you give someone more power, find out what they are already doing with the power they have.

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How many of your business decisions are really attempts to feel better?

The defensive reply. The avoided conversation. The idea you rejected because someone else thought of it. Your emotions may be influencing your leadership more than you realize.

In this episode, John Grubbs draws on Susan David’s Emotional Agility to explore how leaders can handle criticism, confront performance problems, and make thoughtful decisions under pressure. You’ll learn practical ways to question your first reaction and respond with clarity.

Before your next difficult conversation, listen to this.

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Every industrial facility has a few Miserable Mikes.

They're the operators, mechanics, technicians, and supervisors who once cared deeply but slowly became frustrated, disappointed, and cynical.

The surprising part?

Most didn't start that way.

In this episode, I unpack Chapter 3 of The Saga of Miserable Mike and explore one of the most important leadership lessons I've learned after years of conducting culture assessments inside petrochemical plants, refineries, manufacturing facilities, and industrial operations.

Mike thinks he's deciding whether to stay or leave.

What he discovers instead is a much deeper question