HOW TO SPOT A NARCISSIST

START THE SHIFT: How to Spot a Narcissist

Some people read a room to build connection. Others read a room to create chaos.
If you lead teams or hire people, knowing the difference can save you a great deal of pain.

Narcissists are not who most of us were taught they are. It is not about confidence and it is not about vanity. It is about emotional leverage. Narcissists use emotional information to influence, destabilize, or redirect people to serve what they want in the moment. It is subtle, fast, and often hidden behind charm or pressure.

Here is the part most leaders miss.
Narcissists and empaths use the same emotional radar. Both can feel what is happening in a room long before anything is said. The difference is intention. Empaths sense emotion to understand and connect. Narcissists sense emotion to control the environment or the outcome.

Their mirror neurons are highly developed. But instead of using them to create clarity, they use them to create conflict. Many do not even realize they are causing the chaos that follows them from room to room and team to team. They simply react to emotional cues without awareness of the damage.

Some empaths actually begin their journey as narcissists. They learn the same tools, the same sensitivities, and the same emotional reads. Then something shifts. They choose connection over control. Presence over pressure. Integrity over impact. That choice is what makes them empaths, not the wiring itself.

If you run a business, lead a team, or plan events where people dynamics matter, understanding these patterns can protect your culture. It helps you move faster, hire better, and create work environments where honesty outweighs drama and clarity outweighs chaos.

Watch the video. Share your thoughts. Let’s build workplaces where emotional intelligence is the norm and where awareness becomes a leadership advantage.

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