Narcissists affect us in many ways, often doing things that are harmful to us and the sphere in which we live. In celebrating a projected image of themselves, narcissists are generally shallow people whose source of self-worth is often derived from their behavior toward those around them. To overpower a narcissist, you must be convinced of your own self-worth and the right to respond to the offender's self-absorbed attitude and mannerisms. When you begin to stand up for yourself and challenge the narcissist, you can overpower him.
Know your narcissist. Most narcissists come from backgrounds where they had to adopt a less-than-genuine persona. Knowing your narcissist means that you know what he aspires to be both in conversation and in life. This helps you deal with and overpower his narcissistic personality.
Narcissism can evolve based on social and environmental factors in early childhood. Narcissists are generally unaware of how their behavior affects other people, because their self-absorption has created a limited degree of empathy and interest in those around them.
Don't confront a narcissist based solely on her self-absorbed behavior, as this will cause her to react defensively and perhaps lash out at you. If you're talking with a narcissist and she gossips excessively about mutual acquaintances, ask why she cares about such trivial matters that she would put down a friend or colleague in public.
Asking this should cause the offender to backpedal, either changing the subject or acknowledging you for saying something that corrected her narcissistic habit. Inhibit her gratification for taking advantage of others.
Learn a skill in which the narcissist is interested. In a permanent state of disillusion that affects those around them, a narcissist constructs a world view where others are judged on their worth to the narcissist. He rarely reciprocates attention for those he feels aren't worth his time.
If you find a narcissist has a particular passion, hobby or knowledge that seems to contribute to his projected character, make yourself as well versed or skilled as he is. If your practice or involvement in this activity makes you better at it than the narcissist, consider that an accomplishment. A person with narcissistic personality disorder will likely recognize your ability, be less self-absorbed and may see you as more of an equal.
