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Looking for an easy way to tell if someone has narcissistic traits or not? Here’s how their Linkedin profile can give you an idea of their character, according to a new study!
Not only a showcase of your past experiences, your Linkedin profile could reveal certain character traits that you possess, including those attributed to narcissism. Thus, a recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology attempted to understand how a person’s Linkedin profile was an indicator of whether or not they were narcissistic. The analysis focused on 406 users of the platform, who completed the NARQ (Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire), which allowed them to identify key indicators of their personality. Discover these surprising links!
Special characteristics observed in narcissists
To examine the characteristics of the participants’ profiles, the researchers used artificial intelligence. They highlighted that narcissistic people tend to follow highly followed influencers, in order to highlight the quality of their network. On their profile photo, narcissists would be surprisingly less likely to display a smile but would rather be fans of the background image feature in order to visually stand out.
Skill-wise, this type of person tends to emphasize their ability to speak in public, also showing that they are confident. In reality, this mainly reflects their desire for recognition. On the other hand, these same people often highlight more experiences, especially those in which they played an important role. This also shows their involvement and social status.
However, contrary to popular belief, having a very detailed “About” section is not necessarily a sign of narcissism. Deciphering someone’s personality requires more complexity.
Feeling good in your body, feeling good in your head!
An essential analysis for a better team spirit at work
Recognizing all of these signs is particularly interesting, especially in the world of work. This can indeed allow you to better identify people who may be “toxic” if you want to keep them away from your teams. Indeed, when in a management position, narcissists can contribute to fueling a toxic work environment, revolving around their own needs, to the detriment of the overall well-being of the team.
Thus, the study suggests that a team composed only of narcissistic people can induce a decrease in creativity, more difficulties in collaborating or even a higher resignation rate among talented employees. By taking this analysis into account, more informed recruiters and managers are able to better understand the personality of candidates and thus promote a better work environment for the entire team.
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