No workplace is immune to the self-absorbed and self-important employee. You know the one. Preoccupied with status, appearance, and power, narcissists exude a palpable sense of entitlement, often overestimate skills and abilities (while devaluing others), and can be quite comfortable manipulating others for personal gain.
Summary.
No workplace is immune to the self-absorbed and self-important employee, even if they can be hard to spot at first; a sophisticated narcissist can create a terrific first impression. But chances are at some point you’ll find yourself managing or mentoring someone who is more than a little self-absorbed. This will be difficult, but you can raise your odds of success by using specific techniques to help them see their impact on other people. Check your dislike of them at the door and listen to their concerns. Build trust by praising them for what they do well. Use neutral observations and open-ended questions to help them see how they’re coming across to others.
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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Coaching. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to help your employees become the best they can be.