"Narcissists are terrible managers."
In "The Talent Myth," Gladwell debunks the commonly accepted practices of hiring and promotion, which is based on vaguely defined ideas of "talent." He argues that people who are more likely to take credit for their work and to have self-confidence are also more likely to be narcissists. As such, this search for talent often leads to the wrong people being in positions of power.
"In hindsight, it is possible to see the opportunity that Rock missed. If he had known what we know now and had talked about the Pill not as a contraceptive but as a cancer drug—not as a drug to prevent life but as one that would save life—the church might well have said yes."
In "John Rock's Error," Gladwell explores how John Rock attempted to get the contraceptive pill sanctioned by the Catholic church. However, as Gladwell notes, John Rock attempted to gain their acceptance by presenting the pill as having a solely contraceptive purpose. Gladwell instead says that it would have been a good idea to propose the pill as a preventative for cancer, as studies show that this is the case.
"Narcissists are biased to take more credit for success than is legitimate."
Gladwell quotes Hogan here, in order to support his argument about hiring and promotion. The writer argues that common ways of defining "talent," are based on one's own assessment of personal achievements, making narcissists more likely to be considered "talented."
