Similarities and Differences Between Narcissistic Personality Traits and Imposter Syndrome
Chapter from the book: Seyhan, M. (ed.) 2025. Organizational Behavior: Current Research on Digital Anxiety, Personality Conflicts, and Burnout.

Yeşim Monus
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University

Synopsis

Employees with many different individual traits and personalities work together in the workplace to achieve organizational goals. While some individual traits and personality structures can function harmoniously, others cannot. This section examines narcissistic personality traits (NPT) and imposter syndrome (IS), which share both common and opposite aspects. Both concepts are attracting increasing interest in the field of organizational behavior. Given the limited number of studies examining these two constructs together in the field of organizational behavior, it is believed that addressing these two concepts together will contribute to the literature. This study examines the behaviors exhibited in the workplace by individuals with IS  and NPT, which can have significant organizational consequences and compares the similarities and differences between these two concepts. This study aims to develop recommendations for practitioners on how to effectively manage two different employee profiles within the same organization and how individuals in these profiles can produce positive organizational outcomes. The study concluded that IS shows similarities to the vulnerable dimension of narcissism, but the differences are concentrated in the grandiose dimension In both structures, individuals have different true selves and self-perceptions, so it is important for managers to reflect theirselves to these individuals  in an unbiased way. It has been observed that individuals need effective feedback to cope with the negative effects of their inherent traits and methods such as coaching and mentoring can provide solutions in both structures. Due to trust issues, creating an "organizational culture that learns from mistakes" can reassure employees in both structures, allowing them to unleash their creativity.In order for the strengths of individuals with NPT and IS to be reflected in their work,it is recommended that managers be aware of the distinguishing characteristics of these structures.

How to cite this book

Monus, Y. (2025). Similarities and Differences Between Narcissistic Personality Traits and Imposter Syndrome. In: Seyhan, M. (ed.), Organizational Behavior: Current Research on Digital Anxiety, Personality Conflicts, and Burnout. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1119.c4536

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Published

December 29, 2025

DOI