Do you have a friend who spends all day talking about themselves? A family member who refuses to take on criticism? A colleague who delights in taking credit for your work?
There’s a chance they might be a narcissist.
Scientists aren’t sure exactly how many narcissists live among us. Some studies say less than one per cent, while others suggest that 1 in every 16 people could have Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) – that’s 20 million people in the US alone.
This chunk of the population – however big it may be – is characterised by a lack of empathy, an exaggerated sense of self-importance, and a willingness to exploit others.
It’s perhaps no surprise that these individuals can be difficult to work with. Research by British psychologists found that grandiose narcissism – the inflated belief that you’re brighter, bolder and better than everyone else – hampers teamwork to a “striking” degree.
