Narcissism and Feedback: The Role of Generational Cohorts in Shaping Responses

The purpose of this study is to examine how generational cohorts (Millennials and Generation X) moderate the relationship between narcissism and hostility toward negative feedback, as well as between narcissism and the efforts exerted after receiving negative feedback. A total of 272 employees, comprising Millennials and Generation X, who were sourced from occupational industries in the Sultanate of Oman, were examined using a two-step structural equation modelling analysis. The findings suggest that Millennials have a greater level of narcissism than Generation X, it was also found that Millennials show stronger and positive relationship between narcissism and hostility towards negative feedback than Generation X. Furthermore, generational cohorts did not moderate the relationship between narcissism and efforts expended after receiving negative feedback. Organizations should be mindful when tailoring feedback strategies to their employees. We recommend that organizations pay special attention to Millennials when delivering negative feedback, as they tend to exhibit more hostile reactions compared to their counterparts. This heightened hostility may, in turn, lead to increased counterproductive behaviour.