If you are confused by the underhanded behaviour of your line manager, a peer, a subordinate or a key stakeholder in another team then it's entirely possible you are dealing with a narcissist. Do not underestimate the damage someone with narcissistic traits can do. They will actively pursue project failure, misuse people, time and money, even put an entire organisation in genuine financial peril.

The further up an organisational hierarchy you go the more likely you will encounter Narcissists, Sociopaths or Psychopaths. You may even have one or more in your social or familial circles. Regardless of where they sit in your life you will benefit from learning how to spot and manage them. You might find it surprising to know we can also learn a lot from them to improve our lives.