Narcissistic People At Work
The presence of narcissistic people at work creates a toxic, unproductive environment. It is a professional climate marked by tension, anxiety, criticism, low productivity …
Narcissists at work compromise all dynamics, initiative and even the simplest activity. These are profiles that always need to be the center of attention and get full credit. They employ a strategy that is as basic as it is destructive: to sabotage the rights and well-being of others.
Experts in personality psychology tell us that at some point in our lives we will all be faced with a narcissistic profile. When this happens with a co-worker, manager or having any power in the professional context, the situation becomes very complicated and degrading.
Our workdays represent a large part of our time. We therefore generally define the economic, productive and personal projection factors that we wish to make of our career or our company. Relying on a hurtful and toxic presence can completely decimate these goals.
It is not easy to deal with everyday life with narcissists at work. Their behavior is often very irrational and exhausting. If we cannot rely on strategies to defend ourselves, our quality of life can be affected.
There are studies like the one conducted by the University of Illinois and published in the journal Psychological Science that claim that the narcissistic profile has reduced in recent years. Despite this, there is one fact that we cannot ignore.
It is essential to know how to manage those who live with us. Without succumbing and without losing to those who want everything: the narcissists. Let’s see how.
Narcissists at work, how to recognize them
Narcissists at work have a lot of names. They are the cheaters, the accusers, those who escape rumors, the selfish, those who do not know how to team up, those who make individual decisions without relying on others. They are the ones who create an asphyxiating and unproductive climate to the point of eliminating our motivation, our initiative and our desire to invest ourselves every morning in our work.
So, it is important to understand one aspect. There are people who can exhibit a narcissistic characteristic. Others, on the other hand, are among the small percentage of people who have a clear narcissistic personality disorder. Some people have all of the characteristics while others can be more malleable. They can therefore correct their behavior when given any warning.
So let’s take a look at the behaviors that define narcissists at work. These classic profiles that wreak havoc between colleagues and within the organization.
- Trying to be the center of attention
- Aspire to take away all the merits
- Use lies to achieve what they want
- Do not hesitate to highlight others and ridicule them
- Never admit that others have done something right
- Sabotage the work of others
- Don’t take responsibility for their mistakes. Arrange for others to take the blame for their failures and incompetence
- Have a personality marked by envy
- Push others to behave unethically
A study published by psychologists Sander Thomaes and Bram Bushman of the University of Utrecht reports that it is common for the narcissist to dazzle us at first. He can be an approachable, positive, and pleasant boss or colleague with whom we get along well at first. However, over time his real intentions come to light.
How to survive in the face of narcissists at work?
Workplace narcissists can cause us to feel burnt out and exhausted by drowning our hopes for professional growth. The theme is even more complex when this profile defines our superior or the director who always goes above the rights of his workers. Thus, and when these situations become extreme, it will always be recommended to seek professional advice.
On the other hand, it is recommended to have certain aspects in mind. There are some very basic dimensions that can help us not lose sight of our motivation or our goals.
Know the narcissist, understand his weak points
The first key is basic: avoid falling into the narcissistic game. So, it’s interesting to remember that what drives these profiles is admiration and recognition. Their weak point is self-esteem, let us never forget that. For this it will be very important to keep in mind the following aspects.
A narcissist always demands immediate attention: he feeds on it. Don’t lend it to him. Make him see that for you, his presence is secondary. Your priority is your position, your job and your goals. If the narcissist is your superior, avoid obeying him directly or fulfilling his requests immediately (especially if they don’t matter and he only wants to feel his power).
Remember that your needs come first
The narcissist asks, demands, humiliates, lies. He only takes into account his own person and sees nothing more than what surrounds him. Faced with this behavior, let’s assert our needs and our rights. If something doesn’t seem right to us, let’s justify the why by speaking in the first person in a positive way to highlight its lack of empathy. Let’s not give in and fall into its suffocating network.
Keep everything in writing
As we already know, narcissists at work have only one task: demanding of others. It is therefore preferable that any request be presented in writing regardless of the form (electronic message, voice message, etc.). If contradictory information appears at any given time or an incident occurs, we must be able to demonstrate the origin of the order or requirement.
Don’t fall for its traps
The narcissist always wants to know things about us in order to use it in his favor. Thus, it is common that he seeks at the beginning to get closer to us to create a certain complicity and obtain information. Let’s avoid falling into his traps, avoid talking to him about our personal life, let’s be vigilant when we share information and opinions with this type of profile. At some point, it could backfire on us.
Have in mind your values and professional rights
One of the most common problems associated with this type of personality is the lack of ethics. These people sabotage the rights of others. Worse yet, they push others to act illegally.
For this, it is vital to keep our values in mind. Also, we must be well advised on our professional rights. Narcissistic managers, for example, know how to lead employees to achieve their goals using unethical and unethical networks. This way, we will avoid having to bemoan things that we can prevent by being attentive and remembering where the limits lie.
In conclusion, the presence of narcissists at work can be extremely problematic. Sometimes these people can end up engaging in actual harassing or mobbing behaviors. In other cases and to avoid these situations, the workers decide to give up their jobs. We know it is not easy, but as far as it is possible, it is important to set limits and not give in to this behavior which is still too common today.
Our thoughts How do you realize that a job is really toxic and that it’s time to make changes to get better?
