Here Are 12 Of Narcissist Boss Signs

Do you have a boss who seems to think they’re always right? Do they micromanage your every move and take credit for your successes? If yes, there must be some narcissist boss signs; let’s find out.

A narcissistic personality disorder is an actual mental disorder. And it can make life difficult for those around them, especially their employees.

12 Signs Of A Narcissist Boss

You have to be very careful with a narcissist boss. They will try to control every aspect of your work life.

Here’s what to look out for when trying to identify a narcissist boss:

1. They’re Always Right:

If you have a boss who seems to think they’re always right, that’s a sign of narcissism.

Even if they’re wrong, they’ll never admit it. They always have to be right and do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.

Even if evidence proves they’re wrong, they’ll still try to convince you otherwise.

For instance, they might say something like:

“I know I’m right about this because I’ve been in the business for longer than you.”

However, their decision might not make sense and could hurt the company.

Moreover, they might decide without consulting anyone else, thinking that their opinion is the only one that matters. In this way, they can be very frustrating to work with.

2. They Micromanage Your Every Move:

Another sign of a narcissist boss is that they micromanage your every move.

They want to be in control of everything you do. And they will often give you precise instructions on how to do your job.

For instance, they might say something like, “I want you to do this report exactly this way.”

They might also start checking up on you frequently to ensure you’re doing what they want you to do.

Or, they might start calling you into their office to give you a “progress update.” But even though you’re doing everything they asked.

This can be very stressful and make it difficult to get your work done. This can make you feel like you’re not good enough or that they don’t trust you to do your job properly.

3. They Take Credit For Your Successes:

A narcissist boss will also take credit for your successes, even if they had nothing to do with it.

For instance, you come up with a great idea, which ends up being successful. They’ll take all the credit and tell everyone that it was their idea.

Or, if you work hard to complete a project and it turns out well, they’ll still take the credit.

They try to make themselves look good and take away any credit that you might have earned.

Or your boss might give you a difficult task to do, but they don’t tell you how to do it.

Then, when you succeed, they take all the credit and make it seem like it was easy.

Doing this makes them look good and makes you feel bad. You might feel like your hard work is never recognized or appreciated.

4. They’re Competitive:

Narcissists are also very competitive. They need to be the best at everything they do.

This includes being the best at their job, having the most successful team, and making the most money.

They’re always trying to one-up everyone around them. For instance, if you get a promotion, they’ll try to get a bigger and better one.

Or, if you make a sale, they’ll try to make an even bigger one. Or, if you get a raise, they’ll try to get a bigger raise.

This can be very difficult to deal with because it’s always a competition. And you can never seem to win.

It can also make it challenging to meet their expectation. They’re moving the goalposts constantly. And that can be very frustrating.

5. They’re Manipulative:

Narcissists are also very manipulative. They’ll often try to control people by playing on their emotions.

For instance, they might say something like, “I know you’re stressed out about this project. Let me help you with it.”

Or, “I can see that you’re struggling. I’ll take care of it for you.”

This may look like they are being friendly and helpful. But really, they’re just trying to control you. Because they will then take credit for your work.

They might also try to make you feel guilty if you don’t do what they want. For instance, they might say, “I’m only trying to help you. And you’re not even appreciating it.”

Or, “I went out of my way to do this for you. And you’re just going to ignore it.“

“If you don’t do this, I’ll have to do it myself, and I’m swamped.”

In this way, they try to control you by making you feel indebted to them. Or, they might try to take advantage of your good nature.

This can be difficult to deal with because it can make you feel like you have to do what they want. And that’s not fair.

6. They’re Jealous:

Jealousy is another common trait of narcissists. They’re always trying to one-up everyone around them.

And they’re always afraid that someone is going to outshine them. Thus, they’re always trying to keep everyone in their place.

For instance, they might get angry if you get a promotion or a raise. Or, they might get jealous if you’re doing better than them.

Or, if you get praise from someone, they might try to take it away. They might say, “That’s not a big deal.” Or, “You didn’t do that much.”

In the end, they’re just trying to make themselves feel better by making you feel worse.

7. They’re Arrogant:

Narcissist bosses are also very arrogant. They think they’re always right and that they know everything.

Thus, they’re never open to criticism. And they often think they’re better than everyone else.

And they often look down on people. For instance, they might say, “I’m the boss. And you’re just an employee.”

Or, “I’m smarter than you. And you’re just a stupid intern.“

This arrogance will often make them very difficult to work with. Because they’re not open to new ideas.

And they’re always trying to prove that they’re right. In this way, they can be very inflexible.

8. They’re Demanding:

Narcissists are also very demanding. They always want things their way. And they’re always expecting people to do something for them.

For instance, they might say things like, “I need this report on my desk by tomorrow.” Or, “I want you to stay late and finish this project.”

They might also demand that you do unreasonable things. Or, they might expect you to do impossible things.

The report they are asking for is impossible for you to complete within one day. And your workload is already too much.

Likewise, they might also ask you to do unethical things. Or, they might ask you to do illegal things.

Such as, they might ask you to fudge some numbers. Or, they might ask you to do something that could get you fired.

This can be very difficult to deal with because it can put you in a challenging position.

9. They’re Selfish:

Narcissist bosses are also very selfish. They only care about themselves and their own needs.

They’re never interested in other people’s needs or feelings. And they always want things their way.

For instance, they might say, “I don’t care how you feel. I want this done my way.” Or, “I don’t care what you want. You’re going to do it my way.”

It can make you feel like your needs and feelings don’t matter. And this entails that you’re always putting their needs first.

And, they’re never interested in compromise. So, working with them is always going to be a one-sided affair.

10. They’re Inconsiderate:

Inconsideration ends with narcissist bosses. They never think about how their actions will affect other people.

They’re always focused on themselves and their own needs. And, they’re never interested in other people’s needs or feelings. 

They’re always focused on how something affects them. And, they’re never interested in how it affects other people.

For instance, your company might be going through some tough times. But they don’t care. All they care about is their bonus.

Or, you might be going through a difficult time in your personal life. All they care about is that you’re still working hard for them.

11. They Need Constant Praise:

This might seem like a good thing at first, but it’s actually a way for them to control you. Your boss needs to be the center of attention and will often seek out compliments.

For instance, they might take credit for your work or interrupt you when you’re talking.

When you first start working for them, they might come across as charming and charismatic. But over time, their true colors will start to show.

Not only will they need constant praise, but they’ll also expect you to agree with them all the time. If you don’t, they’ll get angry or defensive.

It’s what they call “narcissistic supply.” They need to feel like they’re the best and will do whatever it takes to get that validation.

12. They Hold Grudges:

Narcissists are specially known for holding grudges. If you cross them, they’ll never forget it. They might even go out of their way to make your life hard and difficult.

If you did something that they didn’t like, they’ll find a way to make you pay for it.

For example, they might give you a bad performance review or leave you out of important projects.

Or they might give you a tough assignments or micromanage you. They might also try to sabotage your work or undermine you in front of others.

Grudges are a way for them to maintain control over you and keep you in line. And only those do such who lacks in self-esteem.

And these are some of the signs of a narcissist boss. If you have a boss who exhibits these qualities, it’s important to be aware of it.

Can You Work For A Narcissist Boss?

Working for a narcissist boss can be hell. And it can take a toll on your mental and physical health.

If you’re working for a narcissist boss, it’s essential to take care of yourself. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and exercise.

And try to find ways to relax and de-stress, such as yoga or meditation. It’s also essential to have a support system. Talk to your friends and family about what you’re going through.

And, if you need professional help, don’t hesitate to seek it out.

However, in some cases, it might be best to leave. If your boss constantly puts you down or makes you feel bad about yourself, it might be time to move on.

Likewise, if your boss is asking you to do unethical or illegal things, it’s probably time to find a new job.

Ultimately, only you can decide whether or not you can work for a narcissist boss.

Why Do Narcissist Bosses Act The Way They Do?

Narcissists act the way they do because they have a disorder. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is a mental disorder.

It is characterized by a lack of empathy, an inflated sense of self-importance, and a need for admiration.

People with this disorder often have narcissism in the workplace and relationships. You can ask HR to arrange a meeting to talk to your boss about the situation.

A therapist can also help your boss deal with their disorder. They can help them understand how their condition affects their work and relationships.

Final Thoughts:

Signs of a narcissist boss include always needing to be right, being impossible to please, and being very selfish.

If you’re working for a narcissist boss, it’s essential to take care of yourself. And, in some cases, it might be best to leave.

These are just some signs that you might be working for a narcissist boss. If you’re concerned that your boss might be a narcissist, it’s essential to talk to someone about it.

Last Updated on 9 months by Shahzaib Arshad