Narcissistic team members

Narcissistic team members often stand out for their self-focus, a strong desire for admiration, and a tendency to disregard others' contributions. This behavior can be challenging, especially in creative environments like design teams, where collaboration and mutual respect are key.

Here's how to navigate this as a design leader:

• Provide structured feedback: Provide specific, work-related feedback to direct the narcissistic team member's attention towards team objectives, not personal recognition.
• Encourage team recognition: Create an atmosphere where all team members' contributions are recognized. This can dilute the focus on any one individual and highlight the importance of collective success.
• Promote empathy: Through team-building activities or discussions, encourage empathy and understanding among team members. This can sometimes help narcissistic individuals recognize the value of others' perspectives.
• Document contributions: Encourage team members to keep track of their contributions to projects. This helps ensure that everyone's efforts are accurately recognized and reduces the chance for narcissistic team members to claim undue credit.