How to deal with manipulative people and find them ASAP
If you know those kinds of people that seem to always disorganize stuff with their manipulative tactics in the workplace. They set others up for failure, mess up deadlines and make the workplace unpleasant. They are also very good at playing dirty mind games to subtly control others. And always seem to have something spooky up their sleeves.
Chances are that you are dealing with a set of manipulative people in your company. Everyone wants to be in an advantaged position, especially those in a manipulative relationship where people attempt to get what they want by controlling others. But it sucks when the craving for advantage becomes an obsession, so much so that control appears to be the motivation. Then comes the million-dollar questions.
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Who is a manipulative person?
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Do they know what they are doing?
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How can we quickly find such people out at the company?
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How do we deal with such people?
Here are possible explanations to solve the unsettling mystery behind manipulative people at your company.
Who are manipulative people?
People who often wear a façade of false goodwill and false-positive intentions to assert control over situations exhibit manipulative behavior. Their activities, often driven by rumors, gossip, and deception, spark emotional reactions, making others feel confused and guilty, often involving secrets.
In the workplace, they are usually involved in work politics, leveraging sensitive information to their advantage, and often jeopardize physical safety by manipulating people. You can find manipulative people anywhere, and it's essential to establish clear boundaries with friends, coworkers, and even the people you date. They are skilled at identifying your weaknesses and asserting control by exploiting them against you to persuade you to act in their favor.
It's possible that they'll accomplish this through tactics like insincere flattery and phony closeness, a manipulative approach that can put others in physical danger, a tactic to identify manipulation in their interactions, which are forms of emotional manipulation, but it's more probable that they'll utilize less flattering strategies like emotional abuse, criticism, dishonesty, and silent treatment. Being the victim of manipulation is unpleasant, so learning to set healthy boundaries to recognize and handle these situations is crucial.
Do manipulative people know what they are doing?
The question of whether or not manipulative people are aware of their actions is rhetorical. Manipulation, often linked to underlying mental health conditions, is essentially both psychological and social, and a direct conversation with a professional, like those available through the national domestic violence hotline, might be needed.
As a result, it is quite difficult to answer this question. Moreover, the perpetrator's actions, often a manifestation of their own mental health conditions, are driven by an obsessive desire for control, usually for personal gain.
Consulting a mental health professional may help clarify self doubt and determine whether manipulators are aware of their actions, as this depends on the individual. It is thus, the onlooker’s observation of these people in action that gives them the term- manipulative people.
What drives manipulative people?
The drive or motivation for manipulative people are not always conscious but are always present. Here are a few motivations to consider, including the influence of a family member on their behavior:
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An obsessive need to gain personal advantage at the expense of other people reflects a lack of empathy for their own feelings and own needs.
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A desire for control and power in any dealings with other people.
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Twisted self-esteem arising from putting others down.
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A criminal motivation to fraudulently acquire financial assets, especially by influencing information.
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A lack of empathy where they enjoy their actions as part of a game rather than real-life damage.
How to find manipulative people ASAP at your company?
People manipulate; they do not wear name tags or carry signs/markings on their faces, but their actions leave a clear example of their intentions. As an entrepreneur, identifying these people ASAP and knowing when to seek support is crucial for protecting your enterprise.
Identifying manipulation in the workplace promptly is essential, as it presents in several forms and can ruin the ambiance if not addressed. As a result, toxic people, undermining the well-being of the workplace, are a disadvantage to any company.
Regardless of how sly manipulators can be, they are not a total mystery. A strong support system within the company can help you focus and stay calm as you spot the signs of manipulative individuals quickly. Although manipulative people behavior may appear like "petty workplace drama," it isn't, and it can have detrimental and long-lasting effects on the culture and productivity of your team.
Setting boundaries at work can prevent coworkers from being manipulated and hindered in their productivity, and a toxic and selfish culture may be created. Your team's well-being may suffer, leading to increased staff turnover as a result of manipulative dynamics.
Fortunately, you can establish clear boundaries and try a few preliminary strategies before approaching HR or considering more serious action. In the end, it's critical that you develop the ability to recognize manipulative people behavior in your workers and select the appropriate course of action to promote openness, honesty, and respect among your team members.
How to deal with manipulative people?
Manipulative behaviors can ruin company goals and objectives by destroying team spirit. As a result, it is necessary to handle manipulative people in the workplace as soon as they are discovered. It is even more distressing when the manipulator happens to be one of the best workers. Here is how to deal with manipulative people at your company to prevent any collateral damage.
Describe your background
It's critical to first evaluate the circumstance and identify the type of situation you are facing if you suspect a coworker is being manipulative before taking any action, especially if their behavior makes you feel uncomfortable or feel guilty.
If a coworker is truly manipulative, they may try to influence others' beliefs or behaviors by using deceptive or seductive language or actions, often making it a big deal to manipulate feelings and foster fear among team members.
It's crucial to understand whether this manipulation is a component of anything else so that you can plan out your next move accordingly. Determine whether the person also contributes to rumors or a hostile workplace atmosphere by examining their actions, words, and behaviors.
You must immediately seek professional help from a boss or a member of the human resources team if their behavior is unpleasant, threatening, or discriminating, particularly if it involves blame or making false accusations.
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Observe
Because manipulative people are often elusive and sometimes unaware of their actions; observation is necessary to identify them, particularly in private practice settings where personal dynamics can play a significant role.
Besides, as an entrepreneur, maintaining a keen sense of observation is essential, especially to spend time effectively managing team dynamics and ensuring a healthy work environment. You should look out for certain behavioral patterns that disrupt the smooth running of the company.
Warning signs to look out for include aggression, seduction, and those who play the victim, often using tactics like guilt tripping to make others feel guilty. Some manipulators like to be coercive while others may sweet talk or engage in other forms of subtlety, making it crucial to recognize the diverse relationships and interactions within the workplace.
Such uncooperative behavior in the workplace, like failing to make eye contact during discussions or meetings, will deter work progress in the company and signal red flags that manipulative tactics are being used.
As you observe the manipulators, endeavor to take notes, make recordings, have witnesses, etc., all of which will serve as evidence for when you confront the person, thereby limiting their contact and ability to manipulate further.
2. Analyze
This analysis is crucial, especially after your initial observations, to develop an effective exit plan for dealing with manipulative people in your company. Surely, Their antisocial behavior damages the relationship dynamics within the company. Therefore, your analysis means thinking about the manipulations and matching them across the company objectives/goals. How has the manipulation affected work progress? Etc.
3. Withhold/ Limit information
Manipulative people need the information to carry on, so it's wise to limit contact and restrict access to sensitive information to set boundaries effectively. Whether it be private information, company information, etc. you can cripple manipulative tendencies in your company by limiting access to information. And classifying certain things for authorized personnel.
Examples of information that should be classified, especially to prevent manipulation in close relationships within the company, include staff personal information, company financial information, and strategic plans of the company.
4. Confront the manipulators
Confronting the manipulators is a sure way to deal with them. It is a move to let them know that you are aware of their actions. However, you can only employ this step after the preceding steps.
When confronting them, always point out the disciplinary actions in line with the company code, and emphasize the need to stay focused on company goals rather than personal agendas. And also carry out disciplinary action should the person fail to change.
Turning the tables on a workplace manipulator by directly questioning their motives is the quickest and most reliable approach to spot them, forcing them to explain their attempts at manipulation.
For instance, if a coworker berates you subtly for being too slow, too fast, too old, too young, too confident, too successful, too handsome, too rich, too ignorant to other people's feelings, or too anything else, making it a big deal, then return the favor by asking clarifying questions to point out their inconsistency. Play the game now. Just say it.
Ask them to explain their unfavorable behavior. Why are they acting in such a passive-aggressive manner? Find out why they are making you feel bad by asking them. Find out their intentions by asking them directly, which can often make them feel uncomfortable and reveal their true motives. Although it can be challenging to ask these questions, the answers will swiftly reveal whether or not someone is attempting to manipulate you at work.
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