Latest news with #ambition
Forbes
an hour ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Handle Narcissism And Egos In The Workplace
By Levi King The goal is to create a balanced workplace culture that harnesses ambition. Once upon a time, I was at a big conference with several members of my executive team at the time. The conference was just wrapping up when I spotted one of them—I'll call him Maurice—standing in a corner chatting with a fellow from a different company. I'd worked with Maurice for years at this point. We didn't have a lot in common in terms of where we grew up, what schools we attended, and many other things that make up for one's basic life experience, but I trusted him as a colleague and thought of him as a friend. Just as I neared Maurice and the guy he was chatting with, I heard the latter say something that stopped me in my tracks: 'I'm sorry you have to work with that schmuck Levi. It sounds like it's been a terrible experience and I hope you can continue to make up for his bungling and keep things running smoothly over there.' This is how I discovered that a trusted colleague and friend had been tearing me down behind my back for reasons which didn't come to light until later, but which basically boiled down to outsized ego and ambition. It won't come as a big surprise to anyone who's ever worked in corporate America to realize that many folks outside of our world perceive many folk in it as big-headed braggadocious monsters. The competition is intense and the rewards high. But Maurice, I think, represents something more than simply white collar Darwinism. Narcissism and big egos are often conflated in discussions about problematic workplace behavior, but they represent distinct psychological phenomena with important differences in how they manifest and impact organizations. While both can create challenges in professional settings, understanding the nuances between narcissism and big egos is crucial for effectively managing workplace dynamics and fostering a healthy organizational culture. Narcissism is a personality trait characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. In the workplace, narcissistic individuals often display an overwhelming sense of superiority and entitlement. They crave attention and validation, constantly seeking praise and recognition for their achievements, even at the expense of others. Narcissists in professional settings tend to exhibit several key behaviors: The impact of narcissism on workplace dynamics can be severe. It often leads to decreased morale among colleagues, dysfunctional communication, and a breakdown in teamwork. Narcissistic leaders, in particular, can create toxic work environments by prioritizing their personal goals over the team's success and stifling creativity and innovation by dismissing others' ideas. While related to narcissism, a big ego in the workplace is a distinct concept. Individuals with big egos display excessive pride in their abilities and accomplishments, often leading to arrogance and overconfidence. Unlike narcissism, which is rooted in deep-seated insecurity, a big ego stems from an inflated sense of self-worth that may or may not be justified by actual achievements. Key characteristics of individuals with big egos in the workplace include: While big egos can drive individuals to achieve great things, they can also create friction within teams and hinder collaborative efforts. The impact on workplace dynamics, while potentially disruptive, is often less severe and pervasive than that of narcissism. The primary distinctions between narcissism and big egos in the workplace lie in their underlying motivations and the extent of their impact: Narcissists fundamentally lack empathy, whereas individuals with big egos may still possess the capacity for empathy, even if it's overshadowed by their inflated self-image. Narcissists have an insatiable need for admiration and validation from others, while those with big egos may be more self-contained in their sense of superiority. Narcissists are more likely to engage in calculated manipulation and exploitation of others, whereas big egos might unintentionally alienate colleagues through their arrogance. Narcissists react to criticism with intense defensiveness or rage, viewing it as a threat to their self-image. Those with big egos may be dismissive of criticism but are less likely to react with hostility. Narcissistic leaders can fundamentally alter an organization's culture, creating lasting damage even after their departure. Big egos, while problematic, typically have a more localized impact on immediate team dynamics. More from AllBusiness: Addressing narcissism and big egos in the workplace requires different approaches. For narcissism: For big egos: While both narcissism and big egos can create challenges in the workplace, understanding their distinct characteristics is crucial for effective management. Narcissism represents a more pervasive and potentially damaging force, capable of undermining organizational culture and team dynamics at a fundamental level. Big egos, while problematic, are often more manageable and may even drive positive outcomes when properly channeled. By recognizing these differences, leaders and HR professionals can develop targeted strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of both narcissism and big egos, fostering a more collaborative, innovative, and psychologically safe work environment. Ultimately, the goal is to create a balanced workplace culture that harnesses the drive and ambition often associated with strong personalities while ensuring that these traits don't come at the expense of teamwork, empathy, and overall organizational health. Being blindsided at a work conference certainly wasn't fun, but the real consequences of Maurice's narcissism ultimately proved to be much more serious. The more you learn to tell the difference between good old-fashioned ego and something more sinister, the less likely it is you'll waste months—even years—working alongside people who are pulling things down just as quickly as you are building them up.
Globe and Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Globe and Mail
Your daily horoscope: May 30, 2025
You can, if you wish, charm the birds from the trees but if you leave our feathered friends alone and focus instead on your life goals you will soon be flying as high as they are. Why keep your feet on the ground when your prospects are unlimited? No matter how chaotic the world around you may be at the moment it won't stop you pushing on towards your ultimate goal. Mind planet Mercury will make it easy for you to focus on what matters to you personally – as for the rest, just ignore it. You may not be in the mood to listen to advice but don't be too stubborn about it because friends and family members can see things that you appear to have missed. Adopting a contrary viewpoint may not be in your best interests. The sun's union with Mercury in your sign will clarify your thinking and enable you to focus with laser-like intensity on what you most need to do. Anyone who thinks you can be persuaded to tone down your ambitions needs their head examined. You need to get over the fact that something you attempted did not work out the way you intended. Just because you got it wrong does not mean you were wrong to try it. Now move on and try something even more adventurous. You don't need to be told by others how wonderful you are, you know that already, but it's nice to be reminded that friends and loved ones value your presence in their lives. Now let them know that you value them every bit as much. Mercury, your ruler, joins forces with the sun today, making this the perfect time to get your head together about the direction your life needs to be moving over the next few months. The clearer your career goals the closer you will be to success. If you feel the need to rock the boat a bit today by all means do so. You are under no obligation to desist from saying things just because they might upset people of a sensitive disposition. Maybe that's their problem, maybe they need to toughen up. If you are smart you will readily admit that you don't know everything and that it's okay to learn from the people around you. Leave your ego at home today and seek out knowledge that can enrich you both emotionally and financially. You may not be the most cautious member of the zodiac but cosmic activity in your opposite sign means you must take account of what loved ones and work colleagues are doing before pushing ahead with your own objectives. Don't work against them, work with them. With so many opportunities available to you now you may be confused as to what is the best route to take. Sit quietly for a bit, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, and listen to what the intuitive side of your mind has to say. A Sun-Mercury link in the most dynamic area of your chart means now is the time to organize your thoughts and set yourself goals of a creative nature. The universe is very much on your side at the moment, so don't hold back in your plans. You may think you know someone very well but what they do today will shock you into understanding that you have been taking them for granted. Don't take it personally if they do the opposite of what you suggest. Let them make their own decisions. Discover more about yourself at
Globe and Mail
27-05-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Your daily horoscope: May 27, 2025
Not only is there a new moon on your birthday but your ruler Mercury is strong as well, so expand your horizons and set yourself targets that other people say are beyond you. Nothing is too much for you now and you intend to prove it! What you hear today may or may not be music to your ears but it will be the truth, so pay attention to what others are saying and don't just dismiss it as tittle-tattle. In among the gossip and idle chatter is information you need to know. There is no point complaining about what is going on in the world if you are not going to try to do something about it. Make it your business today to get involved with a cause that is dear to your heart. Back it with a donation too. Today's new moon in your sign will encourage you to take the kind of risks that other people find terrifying. But you are not other people, you are a hugely ambitious Gemini who has big plans for the future – and the future is what you choose to create. Do you need to use an extreme solution to solve what is really quite a simple problem? Of course not, so back off from what you were planning and give it a bit more thought. As it's not a new problem there could be an off-the-shelf solution. There is no point chasing after an objective you know you are never going to be able to reach. Instead, choose a goal that is closer to home and focus your time and your energy exclusively on that. Small steps can take you a very long way. You know there must be limits to your ambitions but the planets say you can achieve much more than you seem to believe. Today's new moon will prompt you to raise your sights and set new limits that are way above the restrictions of the past. Today's new moon means you can afford to sit back and let life come to you. There are times in life when if you consciously choose to make less of an effort the universe will sweep in and make it for you. This is one of them. Think for yourself today and ignore those who warn you should change your opinions because the experts know better than you. If your sixth sense says those so-called experts don't know what they are talking about it's your sixth sense you must follow. Don't expect much enthusiasm for what you want to do today because partners and loved ones have their own ideas and are not about to change them to satisfy you. Maybe you should drop your own plans and go along with theirs instead. Try not to spend too much time on details today because it is the bigger picture that matters. Your current project is just one piece of a giant cosmic jigsaw and your task now is to work out what the final picture is going to look like. A new creative activity will grab your interest today and it won't be long before it becomes a central feature of your world. Not only will it be a lot of fun but it could also bring in some serious money. There is always a market for genius. Fixing other people's problems will take up quite a bit of your time today, so try not to commit yourself to anything new on the work front. You may think you have the strength and stamina to do it all but you are just kidding yourself. Discover more about yourself at
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
Feature interview: A new definition of success
science life and society 3:00 pm today It's been said the best minds a generation are thinking about how to make people click on ads. Brilliant minds are going underused while big problems go unsolved says historian Rutger Bregman. He argues it's possible to build a life that's both ambitious and idealistic. He calls for a new definition of success, measured by impact, not income in his new book, Moral Ambition: Stop Wasting your Talent and Start Making a Difference.
RNZ News
14-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- RNZ News
Feature interview: how your siblings shape your life
Parents unleash the arrow of ambition in their children, but siblings are often the ones who help guide its direction says Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times staff writer Susan Dominus. After a lifetime of curiosity about the ecosystems of families, Dominus set out to discover what families of high-achieving siblings had in common including the values, habits, and everyday rituals, like dinnertime conversations that influenced their children to hit the bullseye in their lives and work. Her book is called The Family Dynamic: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
