The manager in question deliberately created communication silos. He avoided group meetings altogether and instead relied solely on 1:1 discussions. This allowed him to ensure that key audiences like HR, his manager, and peers only heard his version of events. Direct reports, on the other hand, were kept isolated, unable to share or collectively connect the dots about inconsistencies. In a group setting, it’s far harder for a manager’s story to go unquestioned—but in a 1:1? They control the narrative.
Once this pattern became clear, it was part of a broader dataset of behaviors that pointed to narcissistic tendencies. Narcissistic managers often manipulate communication to maintain their image, and sadly, there’s often nothing productive direct reports can do when this dynamic is entrenched. If your manager discourages skip level meetings and claims unethical behavior is condoned by management you may be dealing with a narcissist.