How to Handle Narcissistic Personalities on the Job

Sufferers from Narcissistic Personality Disorder may be bosses, fellow workers, or employees, but whatever their status, they can make working anything from a headache to a nightmare. Narcissists like to take credit for others' work, inflate their own accomplishments, and expect — even demand — an unlimited supply of favors from their colleagues. Nina Brown provides a no-nonsense, hands-on approach to coping with — and overcoming — such stresses without losing integrity or self-control. An expert on group interpersonal relationships, she offers realistic strategies for changing expectations, listening and responding constructively, learning not to take things personally, and deciding when it's best to simply ignore especially outrageous behavior.

Working With the Self-Absorbed: How to Handle Narcissistic Personalities on the Job
by Nina W. Brown
ISBN: 1572242922

Review on Amazon.com -
"If you think that you're acting in unusual ways and feeling frustrated at work for no discernable reason...you may want to read this book. In it you'll find out what destructive narcissists do in the office environment, and it will convince you you're not imagining the slow drain of energy and increasing discomfort you feel! Brown's detailed descriptions not only of the work-related behaviors of destructive narcissists but also of the feelings these behaviors inspire in others is concrete and helpful. Especially useful is her delineation of the four response stages that you might feel when confronted with a destructive narcissist--she rightly identifies a process of initial elation, when the person is entirely focused on impressing you (I would call this the "honeymoon" period, which comes from the language of domestic violence), to confusion, self-doubt, and then overwhelming frustration. She then offers practical coping strategies that you can enact immediately and that really do work, whether your workplace narcissist is your boss or your colleague.

Just knowing that *you* are not overreacting or imagining things is the best reason for reading this book. This book appeared on the shelf when I most needed it. Although I would have liked to see a chapter dealing with how destructive narcissists can actually enlist the help of others in the workplace in their quest for control, in general I found this book very helpful and enlightening."