Working alongside a narcissist can be challenging, as their behavior can often impede a company’s progress. Understanding how to deal with these egocentric individuals is crucial in order to protect your work and personal life from being negatively affected. This article will discuss the traits of a narcissist and provide strategies for effectively managing their behavior.

1. They appear likable at first: Narcissists are skilled at presenting a friendly and charismatic persona to the public. However, their true nature often surfaces during stressful situations or when things don’t go as planned. They tend to criticize and refuse to accept any excuses from others. Pay attention to how people handle challenging situations to identify potential narcissistic traits.

2. They talk a big game: Narcissists constantly boast about their accomplishments, rarely giving credit to those who have supported them. They portray themselves as self-made, disregarding the contributions of others. It is best to avoid confronting them directly about their self-centered behavior, as it may just encourage them to further display their arrogance.

3. They drop names: Narcissists often refer to their connections with important individuals within their industry or community. By doing so, they subtly attempt to intimidate others who may be unfamiliar with these individuals. Be aware that their social network might be filled with superficial encounters rather than significant relationships.

4. They’re entitled: Narcissists consider themselves superior to others without any real justification. When promotions are up for grabs, they will convince everyone around them that they are the deserving candidate, disregarding the hard work of others. To deal with their sense of entitlement, focus on your own hard work and dedication and strive to achieve recognition and advancement through your own efforts.

5. They play the victim: If you receive a promotion instead of them, narcissists will often create excuses to rationalize their failure. They will try to make you feel guilty for their shortcomings by presenting sob stories about their difficult circumstances. It’s important to remember that everyone faces challenges, and you should not allow their victim mentality to affect your success.

6. They hate criticism: Narcissists believe they are incapable of making mistakes, and as a result, they disdain criticism. They disregard constructive feedback and do not use it to improve their performance. However, they eagerly criticize others out of spite rather than to provide useful feedback. Be cautious when offering criticism, as narcissists may react defensively and take it as a personal attack.

7. They always have an excuse: Narcissists always have an excuse ready when they make a mistake. They blame external factors such as faulty technology or a heavy workload. However, when others make mistakes, they refuse to accept any excuses whatsoever. Recognize that narcissists view themselves as the only ones facing challenges and make sure not to enable their behavior by accepting their excuses.

8. They take everything personally: Narcissists tend to interpret any feedback or criticism as a personal attack. They struggle to accept that their boss’s critique is related to their job performance and not a reflection of personal animosity. Understand that their reaction is a result of their own insecurities and keep your own feedback focused on their professional performance.

9. They leave a trail of destruction: Due to their belief that they are entitled and that everyone is against them, narcissists often leave jobs prematurely. Before they exit, they may underperform and force others to compensate for their lack of effort. This results in setbacks for the company as unfinished projects are left in their wake. Recognize the potential damage they can cause and take measures to mitigate it.

10. They don’t see themselves as narcissists: Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of dealing with narcissists is their inability to recognize their own behavior. They perceive their actions as normal and often believe that everyone operates in the same self-centered manner. Understanding this helps you to manage their behavior and effectively neutralize their impact.

In conclusion, working alongside a narcissist requires careful observation and effective strategies to prevent their behavior from affecting your work and personal life. By recognizing their traits and understanding their motivations, you can separate yourself from their toxic behavior and achieve success in your own right.