A sense of entitlement arises when you feel as if you deserve something you did not work for. It could be as a result of being spoilt at home or it could be the sign of an underlying personality disorder such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).
Entitled behavior can be a real headache in the workplace. Here are some tips for recognizing it:
1. They don’t care what you think
If you’ve ever had to deal with someone who has an attitude of entitlement, you know it can be a frustrating and trying experience. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help prevent these individuals from becoming unmanageable or creating unnecessary stress in your life.
First and foremost, one must understand why someone is acting this way in the first place. Usually, entitled individuals have several underlying psychological causes for their actions.
For example, they may be struggling with deep-seated insecurities that are often hidden beneath their overblown self-image and grandiose expectations. Furthermore, they likely feel the need for validation and respect on a regular basis which could cause them to become highly sensitive in response.
Additionally, they often utilize their attention-seeking abilities to try and garner others’ admiration. This is especially prevalent on social media platforms where posting selfies can quickly generate thousands of likes.
Unfortunately, these individuals often prioritize their own feelings at the expense of others’, leading to persistent relationship issues. Thankfully, there are several ways you can help them feel less insecure and treat others with more respect.
One of the best approaches you can take with someone you care about is to let them know their behavior isn’t helping their situation or making you feel better about yourself. This may encourage them to realize they need to take more initiative in meeting their own needs instead of expecting everyone else to do so.
Another way to help them appreciate that they deserve more is by teaching them the value of hard work and commitment. These lessons will shape them into adults who are willing to make difficult choices but also appreciative for what life has given them.
If these behaviors become a regular part of your life, it may be time to seek professional assistance. Speaking with a therapist or counselor can be an excellent way to learn how to cope effectively with these issues and move forward in your life.
2. They don’t like being told “No”
People with a sense of entitlement often expect others to fulfill their needs and desires. For instance, they might expect you to babysit them at short notice, assist them in finding employment or getting promoted, etc.
This type of behavior is highly intrusive and can lead to considerable stress for both parties involved. Additionally, it leaves other people feeling as if they’re being taken advantage of, which is never a pleasant sensation.
When this occurs, it’s essential to calmly explain to them that their request is unacceptable and they should act with more respect. Avoiding a harsh response as this often creates more issues than it solves.
Entitlement can also lead to anger and frustration, which is never beneficial for you or anyone else. These emotions may manifest themselves in extreme behavior such as throwing a temper tantrum or threatening other people. It is essential that you try and diffuse these situations quickly, especially if the person displaying such behavior is close to you.
Sometimes it can be beneficial to make a commitment with the person exhibiting problematic behavior. For instance, if your child consistently demands something from you, you can promise them that you will alter your approach so they no longer get their way as often.
Once you understand this new way of being with them, it can be an effective tool to teach them valuable life lessons such as empathy and perseverance.
You can also use this technique to teach them that there are others who don’t have what they desire. It helps them comprehend that others have just as much value as themselves.
Avoiding such behaviors in the future can help keep your relationships more harmonious, and you’ll have more resources to handle any situations that might arise as a result of such conduct. This is an effective way to prevent these issues from arising again in the future, making it easier to handle them head-on.
3. They don’t want to work hard
In the real world, it’s not unusual for someone to slack off on their duties. In an effort to maintain their superior status, they may do anything to get what they want – often leading to an entitled mess in the process. Be prepared for anything by having a solid backup plan in place before getting your hopes up. Furthermore, being an upstanding citizen and not taking things personally is wise. If you haven’t already, reach out for support and encouragement from those closest to you, such as friends and family members. It may even be beneficial to consult a professional for additional guidance along the way. Creating an action plan and sticking to it are essential steps in building the foundation of a lasting and fulfilling relationship. The biggest challenge may come in knowing when it’s best to let go or stay put for the long haul.
4. They don’t care who they hurt
If you have a loved one who is highly entitled, they may be making others around them miserable. Their lack of empathy and ability to see things from another’s point of view can make life difficult for those around them.
It can be challenging to ignore the behavior of someone who isn’t a good person, but you should do your best. They aren’t alone in being affected by their choices; so, help them understand how it affects other people too.
Recent research by Emily Zitek and Alexander Jordan from Cornell University and Harvard Medical School has demonstrated that people who feel a strong sense of entitlement are less likely to follow instructions than those without. This may be because they perceive instructions as unfairly directed at them.
They often disregard rules and procedures to avoid punishment or loss, believing that they deserve preference over other individuals.
However, this way of thinking can have serious repercussions for those around them. It has been linked to depression, anger issues, and other mental health problems.
Help them break this cycle by showing them that not everything they desire is possible and there are people out there without what they have. Additionally, they may need to learn how to forgive themselves for hurting others in the past.
They will need to develop a variety of skills in order to become an even better person. You can assist them by teaching them essential virtues such as empathy, perseverance and gratitude.
They must come to accept that while they may not always get what they desire, they can always give what they have. While giving will never guarantee anything in return, the experience of giving can be immensely rewarding.
It is essential to help them recognize that you are not making them out to be bad and your relationship with them does not violate any laws. Although some may find it challenging to get along, remember: those worth fighting for are worth the effort!
