A sense of entitlement can have a significant effect on your life and career. Individuals with this mentality typically have an inward-looking perspective on life, with little consideration or empathy for others.
They may be difficult to work with and cause a great deal of stress in the workplace, but there are strategies you can use to effectively manage entitled individuals.
1. Set Your Own Rules
To effectively manage an entitled individual, set clear rules and expectations. Doing this will make managing them much simpler without becoming overly frustrated.
For instance, if an employee consistently requests extra work and seems unwilling to do any grunt work, this could indicate they feel entitled. In such cases, creating a clear group contract outlining expectations is essential; write down these rules clearly and ensure no exceptions will be granted.
You might need to make it known that if they continue their behavior, you may opt to part ways with them. While this can be difficult for both of you, it is necessary for maintaining an ethical and fair workplace environment.
Another essential thing to keep in mind when dealing with an entitled individual is that they may be struggling with a sense of inadequacy. This implies they feel deeply and sincerely that they don’t measure up, or deserve more than others do.
This type of mindset can lead to many issues, such as a lack of team spirit and the inability to solve problems effectively. It could even have negative consequences on your career and relationships.
People with this mindset often have high expectations that don’t materialize, leading to disappointment and psychological distress. Furthermore, they are more likely to fail at following instructions and be dishonest.
Help your students overcome their sense of entitlement by encouraging them to serve others and do something kind for a friend or family member. Doing this will help develop an attitude of compassion in them that will last throughout life.
It’s wise to teach your children how to stand up for themselves when being treated unfairly, as this can be a valuable lesson they will use throughout their adult lives. However, remember that they’re still young and not yet responsible for their own actions.
2. Be Clear About Your Expectations
When dealing with entitled people, it’s essential to be clear about your expectations. Doing this makes communication with them much smoother and enables you to establish boundaries that are appropriate.
Entitlement is a trait that often leads to workplace conflicts. Studies have indicated that entitled individuals are more likely to engage in unethical behavior, have lower levels of engagement, and experience conflict with their supervisors. Furthermore, they may have trouble accepting negative criticism or overestimate their abilities.
Morally ambiguous employees often attempt to rationalize their actions by saying they are doing what’s right for the team or organization, even though they know their actions have an adverse effect on others. This can lead to a variety of negative outcomes in the workplace, such as poor job performance and high levels of turnover.
Entitled individuals tend to be demanding and take advantage of others in order to obtain what they desire. For instance, they might ask for a favor or extra time without offering anything in return.
They may attempt to manipulate other people into doing what they desire, believing that if they can persuade the other into agreeing, then they will receive something in return. They tend to be highly rude and aggressive towards those they perceive as inferior.
Relationships with someone who feels they deserve everything can be strained. It is impossible to build a healthy and fulfilling connection with someone who feels entitled to everything.
Parents, it is essential to work with your children on teaching them compassion and giving to others. Teach them about empathy and perseverance so that they can learn how to give without expecting something in return.
Additionally, having clear guidelines about acceptable behavior and unacceptable conduct is essential so individuals understand their limits and what cannot be tolerated. Doing this helps safeguard everyone against potential dangers caused by someone with an entitlement issue.
Dealing with entitled people can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. By following these straightforward strategies, you’ll reduce stress in your life and foster strong relationships with those around you.
3. Be Flexible
Management entitlement can be a real challenge. Entitled individuals often have unrealistic expectations and don’t consider how their requests will affect other members of your team or your business.
Establishing clear rules and expectations when working with entitled individuals is essential. Doing so will enable you to consistently meet their demands.
As a manager, you must remain firm and not concede when an employee requests something unreasonable or not in your best interests. This is especially important when dealing with employees who have a strong sense of entitlement.
One common example is when an employee requests time off for their children or works a part-time schedule that conflicts with their family’s requirements. They may feel they have the right to take off on their own terms, so it is up to you as the employer to demonstrate flexibility and accommodate this request.
If your company offers flexibility in working hours, be sure to communicate clearly that this does not grant employees permission to leave at any time. Doing this helps avoid the awkward situation of having an employee who believes they’re getting their way without consequence.
Before agreeing to any type of flexible arrangement, it’s wise to have a trial period. This way, you can determine if the change you are asking for will benefit both your employer and yourself.
For instance, if your part-time schedule conflicts with the needs of your family, you could discuss a solution in advance such as having someone from work cover for you on certain days. Doing this will enable you to cultivate a better working relationship with your employer.
Likewise, inviting an employee to a meeting to discuss their request for flexible working is beneficial. This gives your employer the chance to understand more about your requirements and make suggestions if they cannot give an immediate reply. Depending on the circumstances, employers may even be able to include the changes requested in your employment contract.
4. Be Compassionate
Entitled individuals often have an exaggerated perception of their own importance and seek admiration from others. This combination makes working with them challenging as they will always put their own needs and desires ahead of everyone else’s.
One of the most effective methods for dealing with entitled people is compassion. Compassion is having empathy for another person’s feelings and acting accordingly. Although cultivating compassion may take effort, it can be an invaluable asset in your leadership arsenal.
Compassion differs from empathy in that it requires taking action to ease another person’s suffering. This requires conscious decision-making rather than a reflex response and it can be challenging to sustain over long periods of time.
Compassion requires both practice and self-reflection to develop. Recent studies suggest compassion may even be a learned trait, meaning you can work on honing your ability to feel compassion for others.
Compassion can be enhanced through active listening to others and providing comfort during times of hardship. This could include offering up your seat to a pregnant woman or taking extra seconds to help someone move around the office.
This kind of service can be immensely rewarding and make you feel good. It also makes it easier to accept your own hardships and mistakes without feeling guilty about them.
If you have children, be sure to discuss with them the difference between being entitled and compassionate. Teaching them compassion will help them develop into kind, more understanding adults who can better cope with both their own issues and those of others.
Teaching your children compassion starts with modeling it yourself. Doing random acts of kindness, like buying coffee for a homeless person or picking up trash on the street, will demonstrate that kindness can remain even when life gets difficult.
By showing compassion and empathy towards others, it will become easier to manage your own sense of entitlement. Not only that, but it will reduce stress in your personal life as well as strengthen relationships with those around you.
