At the end of 2022, the Internet almost broke in a maelstrom of heated debate about narcissm. In case you were busy Christmas shopping and missed it, an article in Politico Politico profiled the year of 2022 for “narcissists” including Meghan Markle and some other famous and infamous personalities. Markle’s inclusion in the piece, titled “The Year We All Finally Got Tired of the Narcissists,” was met with pushback on social media which necessarily was based on the underlying assumption that being a narcissism is a bad thing not to be associated with. But did you know, according to psychologists that some types of narcissism are good, even aspirational?

Society has had a negative view of narcissism for a long time, seeing it as wrong and immoral. It’s not for example a quality you would want to highlight as being one of your strengths in a job interview. But your narcissism could the reason you get the interview, job, and later promotion. There is of course toxic narcissism that is not helpful, but until we take the time to differentiate them you will miss an important opportunity to make positive changes in your life.

Adaptive vesus Maladaptive Narcissism

Adaptive narcissism, also known as “healthy narcissism,” is the ability to have a healthy sense of self-importance and to be confident in one’s abilities and accomplishments. This type of narcissism is not characterized by an excessive need for admiration or a lack of empathy, which are traits often associated with narcissistic personality disorder. Instead, adaptive narcissism involves a balance of self-esteem and humility, and it can actually be a positive trait to have.

Overall, adaptive narcissism can be a positive trait that helps individuals feel confident and capable, and it can be beneficial in leadership roles. It is important to strike a balance and be mindful of the potential downsides of excessive self-importance.

Maladaptive narcissism, also known as “unhealthy narcissism,” is characterized by an excessive need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. Individuals with maladaptive narcissism often have an inflated sense of self-importance and believe that they are superior to others. They may have a tendency to exaggerate their accomplishments and may be preoccupied with fantasies of power, success, and attractiveness.

Maladaptive narcissism can have negative consequences in various areas of life. In personal relationships, individuals with this trait may have difficulty forming genuine connections with others and may struggle to maintain healthy, long-term relationships. They may also have difficulty with empathy and may be unaware or unwilling to consider the feelings and perspectives of others. In professional settings, individuals with maladaptive narcissism may have difficulty working in teams and may struggle to collaborate with others. They may also have difficulty accepting feedback and may struggle to adapt to new situations.

So How Can You Be the Right Kind of Narcissist?

Narcissists have some good qualities – they are persistent, they don’t get discouraged easily by adversity, and they know how to sell themselves. Make a habit of engaging in some of these techniques to be the right kind of narcissist this year.

• Don’t let rejection hold you back; instead, use it as motivation to keep pushing forward and pursuing your goals.
• Don’t be afraid to take big risks in pursuit of your dreams; sometimes the biggest rewards come from stepping outside of your comfort zone.
• Believe in yourself and your abilities, and don’t let others’ doubts or negativity get in the way of your success.
• Make your success stand out by putting in the hard work and effort required to achieve your goals, and don’t be afraid to celebrate your accomplishments along the way.

Why Being a Narcissist is a Good Thing (Elite Daily)

Why Narcissists are successful in the workplace (Business Insider)