Trying to launch and grow a business by yourself can be overwhelming, as you probably do not possess all of the skills you need to be successful. Working with a business partner can help you bridge the gap. Still, you might not truly get to know your business partner until your venture is well underway.
According to Psychology Today, narcissists tend to have an overinflated sense of self. While this can be irritating, it also can make the person good at business. After all, narcissists usually want to win at all costs. You should know what you are getting into, though.
Setting healthy boundaries
Because narcissists believe they are more brilliant than everyone else in the room, you should set healthy boundaries. That is, you should know when to let your business partner grandstand and when to put your foot down. Otherwise, your partner’s personality might kill your self-esteem and diminish your creativity.
Protecting your legal and financial interests
If you do not know your business partner very well, it is critically important to have a comprehensive partnership agreement. Not only should your agreement spell out everyone’s rights and obligations, but it should also provide a process for ending your partnership. This might be wrapping up the venture altogether or forcing out your narcissistic business partner.
As you can see, the ways to protect your legal and financial interests when working with a narcissistic business partner are the same as with anyone else. Ultimately, with some planning, you probably can have a good working relationship with a narcissist.