Unless you are independently wealthy, it can be difficult to go into business without some help. This is true even if you have a fantastic idea for an in-demand product or service. Finding business partners ensures you have the capital and talent you need to succeed with your venture.
It is not uncommon for business partners to be virtual strangers. Indeed, you may not get to know your business partners sufficiently until your venture is well underway. If your partner turns out to be a narcissist, though, your business may be headed for an inevitable disaster.
What is a narcissist?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, as many as 5% of adult Americans are narcissists. If your business partner is one of these, he or she may have any of the following characteristics:
- An over-inflated ego or sense of self
- A primal need for compliments and adoration
- An arrogant outlook on life
- An inability to make emotional connections with others
- A rabid drive to succeed at any cost
Can you be in a partnership with a narcissist?
While narcissists tend to be difficult to be around, they also can make good business partners. Indeed, working with someone who has a success obsession can make your business thrive. Still, your business partner may lack the interpersonal skills that tend to make a person tolerable. This, of course, can lead to ongoing strife within your venture.
Whether you can work with a narcissist probably depends on your tolerance for emotional abuse. Ultimately, if things have become untenable, it may be time to look at options for pushing your narcissistic business partner out or dissolving the partnership altogether.