Yes 💯 I’ve experienced it from more than one narcissist I’ve had to work with/for over the years. They turn everything into a winner/loser situation and treat you as if you are threatening their own success, so they try to tear you down and isolate you. I believe people like that have low self esteem and are very lonely on the inside. Maybe it’s the same type of people doing this as in my original post.
Discussion
Even to a less extremity than power, everyone wants to feel needed & actions that decrease dependency tend to bring out a sense of insecurity in being able to provide something sufficiently. I think a lot of well meaning & otherwise good people do it without even realizing it.
You’re probably right. It’s different though when it comes to narcissists. They have to feel superior, smarter, more successful, etc., and when they see you achieving what they want you become a target for them to tear down. But i think your comment above is the best way to handle any of these situations, by learning to ignore the well meaning critics who don’t know better, as well as the narcissists who mean your harm, and trust your own instincts and trust people who you know have your best interest in mind and move forward with your plans. Fighting and arguing with the critics only feeds them and encourages them to keep coming back for more. Ignore them and starve them and they’ll find a new target.