How to Defeat a Narcissist at Work: 6 Tactics to Destroy Their Ego

Sometimes, work feels a bit like being trapped in an episode of a reality TV show: alliances, side-eyes, and that one colleague who thinks the sun rises exclusively for them.

If you’re unlucky enough to share fluorescent lighting with a narcissist, you already know the office can turn from “team environment” into full-scale gladiator arena.

Before you start shopping for a new job (or a suit of armor), it’s entirely possible to fight back.

But unlike the narcissist’s favorite strategy—throwing everyone under the bus—your approach can actually be smart, subtle, and a little bit satisfying. Here’s how to topple the workplace peacock, one inflated feather at a time.

1. Stop Feeding the Ego Machine

Narcissists thrive on attention the way toddlers thrive on sugar: the more, the better, and with a spectacular crash afterward.

Every time they snag the spotlight or wrangle a compliment, it’s like plugging their already overloaded ego into a fast charger.

The antidote? Starve the beast. Withhold the ooohs and aaahs. Skip the “wow, you’re so amazing!” and serve a bland, polite “okay.”

When they brag about their “game-changing” idea (which is really just a recycled memo from 2017), nod and transition to work topics.

Be the human equivalent of a rice cake: polite, neutral, and just a bit boring. Watch as their enthusiasm for your attention fizzles.

2. Document Everything (Yes, Everything)

A narcissist in the office operates on audacity, but also on the assumption that no one’s paying attention to the details. Time to prove them wrong.

Turn yourself into a low-key detective. Keep a written record of meetings, emails, requests—anything that matters or could morph into future drama.

When they try to take credit for your work or pin their mistake on you (“It was clearly your responsibility to remind me to finish my own assignment”), you’ll have receipts. Glorious, timestamped, office-politics-proof receipts.

The bonus? This tactic doesn’t just protect you. It quietly undermines their confidence, because nothing rattles a narcissist quite like realizing someone else is prepared.

3. Set Boundaries Like a Pro

Narcissists slice through personal space and boundaries the way a chainsaw slices through butter. They want your time, energy, and occasionally your soul (or at least your lunch hour).

It’s time to become the bouncer at the velvet rope of your own sanity. State your boundaries clearly, calmly, and without apology: “I’m happy to discuss this at our scheduled time,” or, “I won’t be able to stay late today.”

The trick isn’t just saying ‘no’—it’s refusing to explain, negotiate, or backpedal. The less you justify, the less ammunition you give. The more consistent you are, the more their usual steamrolling loses its power.

4. Play the Boring Game in Meetings

Group settings are a narcissist’s stage, complete with imaginary applause and a never-ending award speech. They will hijack conversations, derail agendas, and monologue until everyone’s eyes glaze over.

Here’s a counter-move: redirect the conversation back to the topic, and do it so monotonously that even the office plants start drooping.

When the narcissist starts a tangent about their “incredible” vacation or dramatizes their “vital” contribution, interject calmly: “That’s interesting, but let’s get back to our objectives.”

Sticking to the agenda with all the excitement of a damp tea towel pokes holes in their performance, and signals to everyone else that the show is over.

5. Build Your Own Support Crew

Narcissists like to isolate targets—it’s easier to play puppetmaster when no one else is watching the strings. The antidote is the oldest office trick in the book: allies.

Find your work friends, your sympathetic colleagues, or at least people who can spot baloney from a mile away. Share information and compare notes (without turning it into a gossip-fest).

Support each other’s efforts and back each other up in meetings.

A narcissist’s power shrinks dramatically when there’s a united front. Suddenly, their divide-and-conquer strategy looks about as effective as a paper umbrella in a downpour.

6. Give Praise Where It’s Actually Due

This tactic might sting a little, but hear me out. Narcissists crave validation, but only when it’s all about them.

When you start spreading genuine praise elsewhere—highlighting someone’s hard work, crediting a teammate for a great idea—it chips away at the narcissist’s monopoly on glory.

They’ll notice. Oh, they’ll notice. And they’ll hate it.

Don’t force it or lay it on thick—just recognize contributions naturally when deserved. It not only motivates the rest of your colleagues, but it reminds the office showboat that being the center of attention is not a birthright.

When the Ego Crumbles

Facing off with a narcissist at work is never going to be a walk in the park, unless your idea of a park includes emotional booby traps and tactical landmines.

But armed with these tactics, you’re not just defending yourself—you’re throwing a wrench in the gears of their ego machine.

There’s no guarantee they’ll change (good luck with that), but their power over you? That can absolutely shrink.

And if all else fails, at least you’ll have a few great stories for your next job interview.