10 Narcissist Work Behaviors That Get Promoted

Office politics: where the coffee is free, trust is expensive, and the narcissists always seem to walk away with the corner office.

Ever sat in a meeting and watched your resident self-promoter charm, schmooze, and climb the ladder without breaking a sweat—or a moral code?

Welcome to the delightful circus of “success behaviors” that make HR quietly sob into their lunch.

Time to pull back the curtain on the ten showstoppers that get narcissists not just noticed, but rewarded.

1. Stealing Credit Like It’s a Sport

The narcissist’s favorite cardio? Running with someone else’s ideas. You’ve been working nights on a project, only to hear your office peacock present it to the boss as if the only heavy lifting done was their own brow raise.

Oddly enough, the higher-ups tend to clap. After all, management loves a “go-getter.”

If you’re the one being filched from, try documenting your contributions in a friendly, casual email to the team. “Just following up on that brainstorm we had—great ideas all around!” Subtle, but receipts matter.

2. The Art of Excessive Self-Promotion

If there were Olympic medals for humblebragging, the narcissist would ask for gold and demand it be engraved.

They rarely let an opportunity slide without mentioning their brilliance, whether it’s via “quick updates” to their manager or thinly veiled anecdotes at the water cooler.

Since self-promotion is a reward sport in many workplaces, this shameless parade often draws applause. Want to protect your own light from their disco ball? Practice assertively (not aggressively) communicating your achievements, too.

No need to out-boast—just don’t whisper when everyone else is shouting.

3. Networking Like a Politician at a Fundraiser

Does your narcissist colleague have coffee with the CEO’s third cousin twice a week? Not a coincidence. They have an uncanny radar for who’s “important” and make sure those folks know their name, face, and LinkedIn profile.

This networking-overload gets noticed by decision-makers who want “connected” people in visible roles. If you find yourself allergic to schmoozing, try building genuine alliances based on mutual respect.

Sincerity may not be as flashy, but it goes the distance—and you’ll never wake up dreading your own reflection.

4. Delegating the Dirty Work

Guess who never stays late to clean up the mess—a narcissist. Why should they, when they’re so good at convincing others to do it for them? Delegating is a fine skill.

Dumping grunt work and claiming the glory, less fine. Yet somehow, management sees “leadership potential” and fast-tracks them for promotion.

Resist becoming the office mop by establishing boundaries. When they slide that task your way, a simple “I’d love to help, but my plate’s full with X right now” is surprisingly effective. Practice in the mirror if you must.

5. Always On Show During High-Visibility Projects

Narcissists have a sixth sense for projects that will end up on someone’s PowerPoint at the next town hall. They swoop in, often after the groundwork is done, and charm their way into the spotlight.

If there’s a photo op, they’re in the front. Microphone? Already wired up.

This skill gets noticed, because visibility often trumps substance in the workplace popularity contest. If your hard work is being overshadowed, advocate for your own involvement early on.

Send updates, volunteer to present, or casually remind your boss you’ve been steering the ship.

6. Blame Deflection Mastery

It’s never their fault. Missed a deadline? Someone else dropped the ball. Poor results? “The team needs more training.”

Narcissists could run a TED Talk on the fine art of blame deflection, and for some reason, their Teflon reputation rarely gets scratched.

To keep your own name clear, document agreements and task assignments. Group emails are your friend.

And if you find yourself blamed, calmly present your version of events without finger-pointing—a little professionalism goes a long way when the mud starts flying.

7. Selective Rule-Bending

Some rules are for other people, apparently. Narcissists have a sneaky way of “interpreting” company policies.

Whether it’s extending a lunch break when no one’s watching, or taking credit for more hours than worked, these behaviors somehow get spun as entrepreneurial spirit.

Meanwhile, strict adherence to the handbook can make others look rigid or unimaginative—yes, the irony is rich. If you’re being compared unfavorably, ask for clarification on expectations and standards.

Ambiguity is a narcissist’s playground; clarity is your defense.

8. Mirroring Management’s Buzzwords

Ever notice how the narcissist’s language shapeshifts to match management’s latest catchphrases? Suddenly, they’re “pivoting,” “synergizing,” and “leaning in” all over the place.

This habit is catnip for bosses who love to hear their own terminology echoed back.

While it can feel like living in a parody, don’t let yourself get lost in translation. Pick up on the key themes your managers value and communicate using language that resonates—without turning your emails into a game of workplace bingo.

9. Perpetual Upward Comparison

No matter how well they’re doing, the narcissist always makes it clear they could do more (with a better title, naturally). Their favorite topic at one-on-ones? How their skills are “underutilized,” their “leadership potential” untapped.

Managers wanting to keep high-performers (or to stop the whining) often toss them a promotion just to quiet the storm.

If you see this tactic working, consider requesting clear benchmarks and growth plans for all team members. Data and transparency stop the squeaky wheel from getting every ounce of grease.

10. Manufacturing Crises to Play Hero

The narc’s pièce de résistance: creating a mess only they can fix. Suddenly, a deadline is on fire, or a project’s gone haywire—until our hero swoops in with a “solution.” Cue applause, and yes, sometimes a shiny new title.

This charade is exhausting for everyone else, but since heroics get noticed, it’s a ticket to advancement. If you suspect this is happening, bring attention to patterns.

Offer solutions preemptively and document process improvements, so heroics aren’t the only path to recognition.

Don’t Let the Narcissists Star in Every Episode

Does it start to feel like the narcissist in your office is playing chess while everyone else is fumbling with checkers? You’re not imagining it.

These behaviors are tailor-made for environments where style sometimes outshines substance.

But here’s the twist: teams run best on trust, respect, and actual results—not just grandstanding. Advocate for recognition systems that value real contribution, not just smooth talk.

If you’re in a relationship with someone who brings these habits home, it might be time for a gentle chat about teamwork and empathy.

Surviving the showboaters is possible. Sometimes, it’s even satisfying—especially when your steady, honest work gets its own standing ovation.

And if not, at least you’ll never have to say you got ahead by stepping on someone else’s back.

That’s worth more than any corner office.