A coworker purposefully forgets to tell you something important or makes you look bad so they can look good. Alternatively, as in my case, they may get into trouble and make you the victim. Ideally, you just ignore the behavior and it goes away. It’s not always that easy, though. You must address it when it begins to have an impact on your life and career. Advertisement.
7 Tactics That A Covert Manipulative Co-worker Will Use To Try To Play You
What is a manipulative coworker?
Someone who tries to influence others’ behavior or actions at work is considered a manipulative coworker. Their actions go beyond mere persuasion, and they occasionally engage in dishonest behavior or use deceptive language. In the workplace, manipulation is not a good idea because it can lead to disputes or negative emotions.
How to handle a manipulative coworker
The following eight steps will assist you in dealing with a coworker who is manipulative:
1. Define your experience
It’s crucial to assess the situation and determine what kind of situation you are facing if you believe that a coworker is being manipulative. If a coworker is truly manipulative, you may notice them using deceptive or persuading language or behavior to influence others’ beliefs or actions.
Knowing whether this manipulation is a part of something else will help you decide how to proceed with your next actions.
Determine whether the person’s actions, words, and demeanor also contribute to rumors or a hostile work environment by examining their behavior. You must immediately contact a superior or a member of the human resources team if their behavior is hostile, threatening, or discriminatory.
2. Assess your feelings and use your support system
It’s important to take a moment to consider how this situation makes you feel when dealing with a manipulative coworker or any other interpersonal conflict at work. Assessing your emotions honestly can reduce the emotional toll that this kind of event has on you.
Discuss your situation with a close friend, relative, or mental health professional that you trust. It’s crucial for your wellbeing to reach out to your support network because doing so can give you clarity and insight about what to do next.
3. Try to resolve the conflict together
You might want to think about talking this out with the other person after evaluating the circumstance and your feelings. If this seems like a viable option, you could try to arrange a one-on-one conversation with the person or you could use a mediator to assist the process. Here are some suggestions for handling a dispute with a cunning coworker:
4. Let a manager or superior know whats going on
It’s crucial to inform a supervisor or superior officer of the situation, regardless of whether you believe you can resolve this conflict personally or that your manager should handle it. Your workplace must be safe for everyone to work in and, ideally, should promote cooperation, inclusion, and fairness.
Manipulation has the potential to have a negative impact on productivity, operations turnover rate, and job satisfaction. It also doesn’t contribute to a positive workplace culture. Therefore, it’s critical that you inform your manager or boss when these circumstances arise. Here are some ways to let your manager know what’s happening at work:
5. Focus on positive workplace relationships
After settling the dispute or disclosing the manipulation, it’s crucial to act professionally and continue on with your life as best you can. Try to concentrate on the satisfying aspects of your job and the relationships you have at work. Spend time catching up with coworkers or colleagues with whom you have positive working relationships whenever you can.
Make friendly small talk with coworkers or request a business lunch or casual coffee. By focusing your efforts in this direction, you can increase your job satisfaction and get over a bad experience.
6. Lead by example
To help restore a positive workplace culture, it’s crucial to lead by example in addition to concentrating on good working relationships. Make a conscious effort to behave according to the standards you would like to be treated with at work. Here is how to lead by example in the workplace:
7. Practice mindfulness
Being mindful is the practice of being in the moment and conscious of your feelings and actions. It makes people feel more composed and less impulsive in both their personal and professional lives. Using mindfulness techniques at work can enhance your general well-being and raise your sense of joy and fulfillment from your daily activities.
8. Show sympathy and empathy
Understanding someone else’s experiences, emotions, and feelings is referred to as empathy. It’s critical to be sympathetic and empathetic to everyone at work. It can facilitate communication with coworkers and foster the development of strong working relationships. Showing sympathy and empathy for the offended coworker demonstrates professionalism, and it may even enable you to learn more about who they are as a person.
FAQ
How do you tell if a coworker is trying to sabotaging you?
- Superficial charm and false sympathy.
- Negotiations that don’t feel fair, with no win-win solutions.
- Verbal intimidation or insincere praise.
- meetings where you leave unannouncedly with a ton of work on your back and an unfair number of monkeys on your back
How do you protect yourself from manipulative coworkers?
- Try to See Things From Their Perspective. …
- Remain Professional and Try to Find the Good in Them.
- Don’t Let Their Behavior Dictate How You Feel or Act.
- Act only when it is advantageous to both parties, and don’t be afraid to refuse.
How do you expose a manipulator at work?
- They gossip. …
- They put negative thoughts in your head. …
- They take credit or place blame. …
- They’re competitive in an unproductive way. …
- They withhold necessary information from you. …
- They act like your supervisor. …
- They direct sabotaging comments and behavior at others as well.
What are the traits of a manipulative person?
- Know Your Rights. …
- Spot The Signs of Manipulation. …
- Learn How to Say No. …
- Take Your Time. …
- Don’t Blame Yourself. …
- Shift The Focus. …
- Enforce Consequences for Manipulative Behaviour. …
- Make A Record Of Their Behaviour.
