- “Noted.”
- “Okay.”
- “I see.”
- “That’s good to know.”
- “Thanks.”
- “Interesting.”
- “I don’t know.”
Keep them toneless and brief. The less fuel you provide, the harder it is for them to keep the conflict burning. A simple, flat “Okay” is far more effective than any lengthy justification.
Strategy 2: Limit Exposure
This is not the time for deep, heartfelt conversations over tea. Don’t expect resolution or understanding. Treat interactions like brief transactions. Set time limits. Keep conversations focused and short. When they attempt to bait you into an argument or monologue, revert to your neutral statements and disengage as soon as possible. Trying to “fix” things or make them see your perspective is playing directly into their rigged game.
Strategy 3: Leverage Their Audience Obsession
Narcissists don’t truly care about you; they care about their audience – the perceived crowd watching their performance. They fear looking bad in front of others. You can use this to your advantage. Frame your responses around how their behavior might appear to this invisible audience:
- “I wonder what others would think about that.”
- “If you think that’s a good look…”
- “Do you believe most people would agree with that approach?”
- “I’m not sure others would see it that way.
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