How to deal with a Narcissistic Boss?
Your manager is a finished narcissist: he anticipates that you should be at his impulse throughout the day, he censures everybody for botches aside from himself, contends and repudiates representatives with each little detail even things he said himself!
Many individuals toss the term around, and the facts demonstrate that a portion of the characteristics we partner with narcissists—self-centeredness, assuming praise for others’ work, fits are sufficiently normal. In any case, a genuine narcissist can make your life hopeless.
Entangling the circumstance is that the manners in which you may deal with issues with other troublesome individuals probably won’t work with a narcissist, and may even exacerbate the situation.
“No sense of self can coordinate, never mind demolish, the personality of the narcissist,” composes Margaret Heffernan in Willful Blindness. “What you need to choose is whether their accomplishment will encourage your prosperity. On the off chance that it will, that is fine. On the off chance that these two are in conflict, get out at this point.”
Investigate the meaning of Narcissistic Personality Disorder, or the take the test on PsychCentral.com to show signs of improvement thought of the degree of brokenness you are managing. In the event that you do have a narcissist making your work hopeless, figuring out how to deal with your manager is basic.
Some Helpful Tips for Working with A Narcissist Boss
Disregard being companions with your chief
Narcissists need compassion, so they are not able to do genuine fellowships. You may feel sold out on the off chance that you think you are turning out to be companions with one just to discover they act without your inclinations as a top priority. On the off chance that they are amicable to you, it is on the grounds that they need something, regardless of whether your consideration, your thoughts, or whatever else.
- Don’t criticize them
Simply put, a narcissist can’t take it. She not only won’t take your criticism to heart and try to work to address some of her behaviors, she may become angry. Really angry. Some narcissists can quickly spark into rage. At best your words will fall on deaf ears. At worst, you’ll be on the other side of a tantrum.
- Focus on analyzing problems
Remember that how you feel isn’t of much interest to your boss. You can try expressing your feelings, because he is not aware of your feelings unless you tell him. But although he understand in some way, he still won’t feel much about it. Better to focus on concrete ways to handle problems or conflicts. Give him solutions instead.
- Let him make decisions
Narcissists feel they know best. They tend to need control, so let them make decisions. Present your ideas in ways that let your boss feel he is making decisions. Usually that means giving him options. By letting him choose one he can feel he is making the decision.
- Make her look and feel good
Always remember that everything is about her. So if your words and actions make her feel good, she will be far more tolerable than if she feels that you are doing something that attacks her such as undermining her authority or criticizing her. Narcissists want praise and acknowledgement, so be prepared to give it to them.
- Absorb the blame
Narcissists don’t take responsibility for anything negative, whether it is a bad culture in the office or declining revenues. It has to be someone else’s fault.
- Set boundaries and keep them
If your narcissistic boss behaves in a way you can’t accept, you must tell him. The trick is, it may not help. But you have to make your boundaries clear as you can. Be sure not to criticize your boss in public. And as they saying goes, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Try to praise them as well as explain your solution to the problem (yes, he created it, but he doesn’t care, remember?)
- Don’t compete.
You may think that getting better results, more sales, or any other tangible evidence that you are doing a great job will convince your boss to treat you better. Wrong. Remember that the facts aren’t very convincing to the narcissist. Your boss will assume that you are doing good work because of what he taught you. Your award should be his; after all, you work for him, don’t you? You can’t win. Ever. So don’t play.
Working for a narcissistic boss requires some tamping down of yourself to comply with that worldview, or rather, self-view. It is not easy. But doing so will help you survive—until you find a better boss.
