A narcissist is someone with an insufferable ego who doesn’t care about others. They can be incredibly insidious, and sometimes it’s difficult to know whether your boss is a narcissist.

You can survive in a narcissist’s environment by staying aware of their tactics and establishing healthy boundaries. If they continue to abuse you, you can take it to HR.

1. They’re always looking for attention.

A narcissist’s attention-seeking behaviors are usually aimed at getting others to look up to them. This can be a result of their own self-esteem issues or from an inability to get the attention they deserve.

They may also try to gain more recognition by exaggerating their achievements or lying about them. They expect everyone to look up to them as if they’re the best person in the world.

Another way they get attention is by dominating meetings, conferences, calls and email discussions. Narcissists often impose their own ideas, projects and proposals and put others down to make themselves look better.

This can be done in a subtle or blatant manner and can lead to serious consequences, depending on the situation. Sometimes a narcissist will even try to manipulate you into believing your ideas aren’t good enough or are merely a cynical attempt to control the conversation.

If you’re feeling as though your boss is trying to take advantage of you, keep detailed records of their actions. You can save any negative e-mails they send you or create a journal of all the times they disrespected you.

In addition, if you notice that your boss takes shortcuts and doesn’t follow the ethical standards of the business or the workplace, they could be a narcissist. They also cannot handle criticism or negative feedback and may shift blame to others when things go wrong.

They’re always looking for a scapegoat and are afraid of being judged. They can’t understand why other people feel so differently than they do and often don’t understand how their own emotions work. They will often project their own anxiety or depression onto their closest loved ones, accusing them of being unsupportive, mentally ill, not putting them first, being selfish or even just being bad.

2. They’re always blaming others.

If your boss has a narcissistic personality, they may find it easy to blame others for their behavior. This may include you, other employees or even their children if they are close to them. It could also mean that they have a hard time recognizing that their behavior is wrong or is causing harm to you.

In a professional environment, this type of behavior can take many forms, such as name-dropping, insensitivity and disrespect. This can lead to problems with communication and cooperation among teammates.

It’s also important to remember that narcissists tend to think that they are better than everyone else. They are always looking for opportunities to boost their self-image. They believe that they are the best and the most qualified to handle any problem that comes their way.

Having the power to make decisions is an important part of narcissists’ lives, and they will do anything to get it. They may use you as their scapegoat to help them feel powerful, but you can avoid this by setting boundaries with your boss.

Another way to protect yourself from a narcissist is to stay completely honest and professional with them. This will ensure that they don’t find a way to exploit you.

They will also be more likely to listen to you if they don’t see any weaknesses in you. This is why it’s important to be very clear about your boundaries and expectations for the job.

You should also try to befriend people in the workplace who have your back. These people can be good resources for you if your boss’s narcissistic behavior causes any trouble.

When you’re faced with a narcissist boss, it’s important to keep your goals in mind and work hard to achieve them. Then, you can take a step back and let your passion for the job help you get through the tough times.

3. They’re always looking for a scapegoat.

You might think you can just avoid working with a narcissist, but you could be missing out on some of the subtle clues that point to their toxicity. Keeping an eye out for these telltale signs can help you identify a narcissistic boss before it’s too late.

Narcissists have an inflated sense of their own worth and capabilities. They view themselves as more deserving and better than everyone else, which is why they’re so likely to tear others down in their quest for admiration.

Their narcissistic personality can be difficult to work with because it makes them hard to trust and rely on. It also can negatively affect your mental health if you have to deal with them on a regular basis.

In many cases, narcissistic bosses are also manipulative and will try to control you to get what they want. They’ll use bullying, intimidation and other tactics to push you into doing what they want.

This can make it very difficult for you to do your job and may even lead to mental disorders like anxiety, depression or panic disorder. If you feel like your narcissistic boss is taking over your life, it’s time to find a new job or seek out an alternative career path.

During your search for a new job, it’s important to recognize the warning signs that indicate that you may be dealing with a narcissist. This can be done by observing your boss’ behavior.

If you see your boss slamming other people or being unsupportive, it’s possible they’re dealing with their own narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). This is why they’re always looking for a scapegoat.

In a similar way to how a parent might blame their child for their bad grades, narcissists are often forced to pass their anger and guilt onto someone else. They believe that someone is responsible for everything they do wrong, and it’s too painful to face their own faults.

4. They’re always trying to control you.

If your boss always seems to have the last word or if they’re constantly micromanaging you, chances are they are a narcissist. There are a few things you can do to help cope with your narcissist boss.

First, you should try to understand their motivations. Narcissists are driven by their need for approval, and they often have a hard time feeling empathy or understanding the feelings of others.

They’ll seek out affirmation and praise, but they also have a tendency to criticize or mock those around them. This helps them maintain their high self-views and maintain their inflated ego.

Whenever they have a problem, narcissists look for someone to blame. This is especially true if you’ve made them feel vulnerable or if they think you don’t respect them.

The best way to deal with a narcissistic boss is to understand their motivations and avoid them as much as possible. This can be hard, but if you’re willing to take the time to understand them, you may be able to change their mind or get them to agree to a compromise.

If you can’t seem to get your boss to change their behavior, consider a different position within the company or find another job entirely. If you’re unable to work anywhere else, make sure you have all of your paperwork in order before leaving the job.

You should also cut all contact with your narcissist. It’s best to block their phone numbers and social media accounts, and to avoid them in person as much as possible.

If you’re struggling to work with a narcissist, consider finding a mentor or a support network. You can also seek counselling if you need it.

5. They’re always trying to manipulate you.

It can be hard to know if your boss is a narcissist. But Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and host of The Verywell Mind Podcast, says there are some signs to look for that will help you figure out whether or not your boss is a narcissist.

One of the most common signs of a narcissist is that they have no empathy for others. They often take pleasure in humiliating others, acting like they’re above the rules, and making sure other people feel inferior.

Narcissists are also attracted to power and control, so they tend to gravitate towards leadership positions. And if your boss is a narcissist, it can make for an emotionally stressful working environment.

Another sign of a narcissist that you should watch for is that they’re always trying to manipulate you. That means they’re constantly changing their expectations or demanding you change your work in order to suit their needs.

They’re also often pranksters. They’ll give subtle digs to let you know your place and may even accuse you of being too sensitive.

If you work for a narcissist, try to find ways to shift their attention elsewhere. This could mean finding a new job or team, bringing in someone else on your team, or letting them know that you’re tired of this unhealthy working environment.

It can be challenging to do, but it’s important that you don’t let them get to the point where they are hurting your feelings or making you feel unsafe. You can survive this type of environment by being a strong and independent person who can stand up for yourself.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break and do something different for a few minutes. It will give you a chance to clear your head and regain perspective.