Deal With a Self-absorbed Supervisor: 5 Strategies to Manage
In the realm of workplace dynamics, the question of whether one's supervisor exhibits narcissistic traits is a common concern. Psychologist Ryan Fehr, who specializes in ethics and leadership at the University of Washington, explains that while everyone possesses narcissistic tendencies to some degree, not everyone meets the criteria for a narcissistic personality disorder. Still, it's possible for a boss to display narcissistic behavior, even without the disorder.
According to Fehr, narcissism is marked by an inflated self-perception and a relentless pursuit of reinforcing these self-views. This manifests as either seeking admiration from others or making colleagues into rivals, belittling them to elevate one's own stature. To identify a narcissist in the professional sphere, one should look for individuals who are often charismatic, motivated by positive praise, unapologetic about their mistakes, and keen on leveraging resources to enhance their own reputation.
Narcissistic behavior can have a detrimental impact on workplace culture, impeding the formation of meaningful relationships and fostering a self-centered environment. Bosses with such tendencies may undermine teamwork by taking credit for others' work, exhibit volatile behavior, or engage in gaslighting and other manipulative tactics.
In the face of a narcissistic boss, here are some coping strategies:
- Expand your professional network beyond your direct supervisor, seeking mentorship, opportunities, or social support from alternative sources.
- Adopt the BIFF method, which involves keeping interactions with the narcissistic boss brief, informative, friendly, and firm, while avoiding defensive responses and hostile comments.
- Be mindful of the boss's triggers and adjust your behavior accordingly to minimize confrontations and maintain a positive work environment.
- Appeal to the boss's goals, framing requests as opportunities to showcase their expertise and contribute to the team's success.
- Prioritize self-care and seek support from loved ones to prevent burnout and maintain overall well-being.
- Cultivating self-care and health-and-wellness routines is crucial in managing a work environment with a narcissistic boss, as it helps maintain mental-health and overall well-being.
- Businesses promoting workplace-wellness practices need to consider diversity-and-inclusion mandates, ensuring their leaders understand and address narcissistic tendencies in the workplace, fostering a more balanced and supportive environment.
- To counteract a narcissistic boss, one can expand their careers beyond immediate work relationships, forming connections with mentors, colleagues, and professional networks in the finance and health-and-wellness sectors.
- Leadership development programs should incorporate science on narcissism and its effects on workplace dynamics, teaching strategies to recognize and manage narcissistic behavior, leading to a more productive and harmonious workforce.
- In workplaces with a history of narcissistic leadership, emphasizing teamwork, collaboration, and mutual respect becomes vital for the growth and success of individual careers and the business as a whole, thereby promoting a positive culture of self-care and well-being.
