14 Subtle Traits That Often Signal An Overinflated Ego

Not everyone with a massive ego goes around thinking they’re the centre of the universe.

An inflated sense of self-importance is sometimes a bit more subtle than that, and you might not even notice it if you don’t realise what you’re looking for. Here are signs someone’s ego is at least a little out of control and they probably need to deflate it a bit.

1. All they do is humblebrag on social media.

This person’s posts are a masterclass in false modesty. They’ll share a photo of their “messy” kitchen, which just happens to showcase their expensive marble countertops and top-of-the-line appliances. Or, they’ll complain about how “difficult” it is to choose between job offers to highlight their desirability in the job market. This lets them brag while appearing self-deprecating, satisfying their need for admiration without seeming overtly arrogant.

2. They religiously read their own press, even if they have to write it themselves.

This person is constantly Googling themselves or setting up alerts for their own name. If they can’t find enough mentions online, they might create them by leaving reviews for themselves on various platforms or creating multiple social media accounts to boost their online presence. They’re obsessed with controlling their image and ensuring that the world sees them in the best possible light, even if that light is largely self-generated.

3. They’ve turned name-dropping into a regular thing.

Every conversation with this person becomes a who’s who of their social circle. They casually mention their “friend” who happens to be a minor celebrity or how they bumped into a famous politician at their local coffee shop. This behaviour isn’t down to wanting to share interesting experiences; it’s about elevating their own status by association. They’re essentially saying, “Look at how important I am by the company I keep,” without directly stating it.

4. They’re perpetually “too busy” for mundane tasks.

This person always seems to have a packed schedule, but curiously, only for things they deem beneath them. They’re too swamped to help with office housekeeping or to pick up groceries, but they always have time for high-profile projects or social events. Selective busyness is a way of showing their so-called importance and value. In their mind, their time is simply too precious to be wasted on ordinary activities.

5. They’ve developed an allergy to the words “I don’t know”.

Admitting a lack of knowledge is anathema to this person. Instead of acknowledging gaps in their understanding, they’ll bluff their way through conversations on topics they know nothing about. If cornered, they might deflect with vague statements or quickly change the subject. Their behaviour stems from a deep-seated fear of appearing ignorant or less competent than they believe themselves to be. In their mind, they should be knowledgeable about everything, and admitting otherwise would shatter their self-image.

6. They treat apologies like rare, precious gems.

For this person, saying “I’m sorry” is akin to pulling teeth. When confronted with their mistakes, they’ll deflect, justify, or blame everyone else rather than admit fault. On the rare occasions they do apologise, it’s often a non-apology like “I’m sorry you feel that way” or “I’m sorry, but…” Their unwillingness to apologise stems from a belief in their own infallibility. Admitting to a mistake would be admitting they’re not as perfect as they believe themselves to be.

7. They’ve turned one-upmanship into an art form.

No matter what story you tell or achievement you share, this person always has a better one. If you ran a 5K, they’ve run a marathon. If you got a promotion, they were headhunted for a CEO position. Their constant need to outdo people isn’t about establishing a bit of rapport and sharing about their lives; it’s about maintaining their sense of superiority. They can’t stand the idea that someone else might shine brighter than them, even for a moment.

8. They’re surprisingly bad at taking compliments.

Counterintuitively, this person might struggle with accepting praise gracefully. Instead of a simple “thank you”, they’ll either dismiss the compliment entirely or use it as an opportunity to fish for more praise. They might say something like “Oh, this old thing? I have much nicer outfits” or “You think that’s impressive? Let me tell you about…” They obviously believe that the compliment isn’t sufficient recognition of their self-ascribed greatness. They’re not satisfied with the praise they receive because, in their minds, they deserve even more.

9. They give endless unsolicited advice.

This person can’t resist chiming in with their opinion, whether it’s wanted or not. They position themselves as the expert in every situation, from your career choices to your love life. Their advice often comes across as condescending or preachy, largely because it implies that you couldn’t possibly figure things out without their superior wisdom. They do this to show how “intelligent” they are at every available opportunity.

10. They treat flexibility like it’s a dirty word.

Compromise is not in this person’s vocabulary. They have a rigid way of doing things and expect everyone else to fall in line. Whether it’s insisting on a particular restaurant for group dinners or refusing to adapt to new workplace processes, their inflexibility is a sign of their belief that their way is always the best way. After all, stubbornness often masks a fear of losing control or admitting that someone else’s idea might be better.

11. They’re far too good at giving backhanded compliments.

Their praise always comes with a sting in the tail. They might say something like, “You look great! I hardly noticed you’ve gained weight,” or “Your presentation was good, for someone at your level.” Giving backhanded compliments lets them seem nice, while simultaneously sending the message that they’re better than everyone else. It’s a subtle way of putting people down to elevate themselves, all while maintaining a veneer of politeness.

12. They’re constantly rewriting history in their favour.

This person has an uncanny ability to remember things that have happened in the past in a way that always paints them in the best light. They’ll conveniently forget their mistakes or reframe situations to emphasise their contributions. If you challenge their version of events, they’ll insist that your memory is faulty. Thanks to their selective recall, they get to maintain their inflated self-image by creating a personal history where they’re always the hero.

13. They treat empathy like it’s a limited resource.

While they expect other people to be endlessly understanding of their feelings and situation, this person struggles to reciprocate. They make people’s problems out to be no big deal or respond with one-upmanship rather than genuine compassion. Their lack of empathy clearly comes from an inability to see beyond their own experiences and a belief that their problems are inherently more significant than anyone else’s.

14. They’ve turned their personal preferences into universal truths.

For this person, their likes and dislikes aren’t just personal opinions — they’re indisputable facts. If they don’t enjoy a particular type of music, it’s objectively bad. If they prefer a certain way of working, it’s the only correct method. They just don’t recognise the validity of perspectives different from their own, To them, their preferences are the best, and anyone who disagrees simply lacks their refined taste or insight.