If you recognize these 7 behaviors, you have a deeply egotistical person in your life

There’s a clear distinction between self-confidence and sheer egotism.

The difference lies in consideration.

A self-confident individual is sure of their abilities, yet mindful of others.

An egotistical person, however, views themselves as superior, often disregarding the feelings and perspectives of those around them.

If you’re wondering whether someone in your life leans towards the latter, you’re in the right place.

I’m about to share seven behaviors that reveal a deeply egotistical personality.

1) Self-centeredness

You don’t need to be a psychology expert to spot an egotistical person, just pay attention to their conversation patterns.

Egotistical individuals tend to be self-absorbed and obsessed with their own needs, desires, and accomplishments.

Their world revolves around them, and they rarely show interest in others’ lives unless it directly benefits them.

Their conversations often steer back to themselves.

It could be about their latest achievements, future plans, or even problems they’re encountering.

It’s always about them.

If you find yourself constantly listening to someone’s self-centered monologues, you’ve likely encountered an egotist.

Remember: a balanced conversation involves give-and-take, not just endless self-promotion.

2) Lack of empathy

Another clear sign of an egotistical person is their lack of empathy.

They have a hard time understanding or sharing the feelings of others.

Let me share a personal encounter with you.

I once knew a person who was quite successful in his career.

However, he had a troubling habit: whenever I shared my own struggles or achievements, he’d quickly dismiss them and shift the focus back to his own experiences.

It was as if my feelings and experiences were invisible to him unless they somehow related to his own world.

That’s when I realized that his inability to empathize was not due to ignorance but rather a deep-seated egotism.

His world was centered around himself, and he lacked the ability to genuinely connect with others on an emotional level.

This observation aligns with research indicating that individuals exhibiting narcissistic traits, such as entitlement and exploitativeness, often display a lack of empathy.

If you see this trait in someone around you, it’s a strong indication that they might be deeply egotistical.

3) Lack of resilience

Egotistical individuals often have a hard time dealing with setbacks.

They’re so used to being the center of attention and having things go their way that when they face adversity, they crumble.

You see, mental toughness or resilience is the ability to bounce back from failures and disappointments.

It’s about growing through difficulties, not just going through them.

But for an egotist, any form of setback is seen as a direct attack on their self-esteem.

In my book, “The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness”, I delve into the importance of resilience in our daily lives.

I discuss how building resilience can help you handle life’s ups and downs with grace and strength.

Egotists are often missing this crucial quality.

They perceive any form of criticism or failure as a personal affront and react defensively, sometimes even aggressively.

4) Unwillingness to admit mistakes

It was during a team project at work that I experienced this trait firsthand.

One of my colleagues, let’s call him John, was utterly convinced his approach was the best.

Despite several setbacks and mounting evidence to the contrary, he refused to admit that his strategy wasn’t working.

Instead, he blamed everyone else for the failures.

This unwillingness to admit mistakes is another common trait of egotistical individuals.

They view admitting mistakes as a sign of weakness when in reality, it demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn and grow.

5) Excessive modesty

This one might surprise you. But yes, excessive modesty can sometimes be a sign of deep-seated egotism.

Egotistical individuals are experts at managing their image.

Sometimes, this means putting on a show of false modesty to command attention and admiration.

Research has shown that individuals who engage in humblebragging—masking egotism with false modesty—are perceived less favorably than those who openly boast.

They may downplay their achievements or deflect compliments in an attempt to seem humble.

But rather than genuine humility, this behavior is often a calculated move to ensure they remain the center of attention.

6) Dominance in conversations

Egotistical people have a knack for dominating conversations.

They love to talk, especially about themselves, and they often leave little room for others to share their thoughts or feelings.

This isn’t limited to just talking about their achievements or interests.

They may also interrupt others, dismiss different viewpoints, and steer the conversation back to themselves or their favorite topics.

Being an active participant in a conversation means listening as much as talking, respecting others’ views, and giving them the space to express themselves.

7) Need for constant admiration

Above all, a deeply egotistical person craves constant admiration.

They thrive on compliments and affirmation, and they are always seeking validation from others to fuel their inflated self-image.

They may go to great lengths to seek out praise, even if it means exaggerating their achievements or fishing for compliments.

This constant need for admiration is a telltale sign of an egotist.

Their self-worth is heavily dependent on how others perceive them, which can lead to an unhealthy and insatiable need for external validation.

A study published in the Psychological Bulletin found that narcissism tends to decline from childhood through older adulthood, though individuals who are more narcissistic than their peers in childhood typically remain more narcissistic as adults.

Understanding the egotist

The behaviors and attitudes of egotistical individuals are complex, often deeply rooted in their personal histories and psychological makeup.

Recognizing these behaviors is the first step towards understanding them.

It’s about acknowledging their existence in our lives, and determining how we can best interact with those exhibiting such traits without compromising our own well-being.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to dealing with egotists.

It requires a lot of patience, empathy, and sometimes, creating boundaries.

In my book, “The Art of Resilience: A Practical Guide to Developing Mental Toughness”, I discuss strategies to cope with difficult personalities, including egotists.

I share tips on how to foster resilience and maintain your mental health amidst challenging social dynamics.

Remember, everyone has their own battles.

Egotists too are fighting theirs.

At the end of the day, it’s about maintaining our peace and resolution in the face of adversity.

We may not be able to change others, but we can definitely control how we respond to them.

And that’s where our true power lies.

Feeling stuck in self-doubt?

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Picture of Lucas Graham

Lucas Graham

Lucas Graham, based in Auckland, writes about the psychology behind everyday decisions and life choices. His perspective is grounded in the belief that understanding oneself is the key to better decision-making. Lucas’s articles are a mix of personal anecdotes and observations, offering readers relatable and down-to-earth advice.

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