An office work day is never complete without a visit from your company egomaniac. I'm sure you know the type. Always talking about themselves. Bringing your glory down a peg or two when they've been outclassed. Generally making your day that little bit more miserable without even blinking an eye lid.

I've never known an office not to have one of sorts - so chances are you do too?!

Unlucky.

But then life isn't as bad as you think. And here's why.

Egomaniacs generally stem from the type of people that continually need to talk about themselves. Otherwise their worst nightmares may just come true - that is, they will wither away into nothingness. The simple fact is that they need to talk about how great they are just so everyone's clear. If they don't talk about it - no one else will.

Whilst compliments from egomaniacs are generally less common than your blue moon scenario, you can take solace in the fact that they feel the need to show off to you. It shows that your opinion and attention is clearly worth something.

If they don't gloat in your face then you are missing out on a small shallow compliment but count yourself lucky you miss out on their dribble. I know which one I'd choose given the chance.

The other point to make here is that it is very easy to deal with an office egomaniac, without resorting to violence or resignation letters. Going back to a point made earlier, the egomaniac boasting round the photocopier is doing so to feel valued and important. Take that away and deep down inside they are nothing but insecure.

Quick way to palm off any approach is to politely interrupt their next gloating session with a short but powerful 'I'm sorry [insert name] but I'm really busy at the moment and don't have time to discuss how brilliant you are ... maybe later?'

Of course, later will never come because they'll move onto their next victim.

However, what you've done is politely diffuse their boasting with an acknowledgement about the reason for the approach and put yourself on a mature pedestal by talking about how busy you are. Clearly you are important - otherwise you wouldn't be busy.

Hopefully that will be enough to send the egomaniac away.

Persistent egomaniacs may decided to stick it out with a weak 'can I help?' remark. To which you reply a very short - 'No I don't think so- thanks anyway'. Don't give the reason why they can't help otherwise they may argue with you and try to talk you round. Just a polite 'No I don't think so' should suffice. You will seem far more collected in the eyes of the other workers and infinitely more interesting than Mr I-am-an-absolute-genius over there.

Those that act calm in the face annoying situations often seem the most interesting and generally together people.

So with that, I'd say good luck and remember that an egomaniac really is just scared and insecure deep down inside.