The Workplace Coach

I was having a conversation with someone the other day about corporate careers, and some of the games that people are forced to play in the office.  I don’t mean the interdepartmental volleyball tournament or the often very competitive trivia night competitions. I mean the corporate ‘Hunger Games’ where some people get offered up as tribute and only the strong survive in a dog-eat-dog struggle to get to (or remain at) the top of the heap. 

Okay, I’ll admit that sounds a bit over the top but the very real impact of these games on the victims can seriously almost be life and death. Claims for psychological injury are increasing at an exponential rate according to SafeWork NSW, with physical injury increasing by just 11% over four years to mid-2023 compared to psychological injuries growing by a whopping 30% in the same period. 

These injuries are the result of having to play the game, of having to deal with the toxic players that you get subjected to on a daily basis, of spending 40 to 50 hours a week in an environment which is going to make you sick. 

Here is a little peek at some of the psychos in the workplace who can make your life a living hell:

1. The Micromanager: “Control Freak Carla”

• Overly involved in every detail of your work.
• Constantly checks in on progress, even when it’s unnecessary.
• Lacks trust in their team, which can stifle creativity and independence.
• Often gives feedback that feels more like criticism than guidance.
• Can create a high-pressure environment that leads to burnout.

Impact: People under a micromanager will feel like they’re not trusted to do their jobs, which can lead to frustration, reduced morale, and a lack of ownership over work.

2. The Gossip: “Chatterbox Charlie”

• Spreads rumours and shares confidential information without consent.
• Talks about colleagues behind their backs, often to make themselves feel superior or in control.
• Frequently stirs up drama, creating divisions within teams.
• Enjoys creating tension by inflating minor issues or conflicts.

Impact: Gossips create a toxic atmosphere of distrust, hurt feelings, and workplace drama, making it hard for teams to collaborate effectively.

3. The Victim: “Helpless Hannah”

• Constantly feels like they are being unfairly treated or burdened.
• Rarely takes responsibility for their own mistakes or shortcomings.
• Exaggerates challenges and difficulties to elicit sympathy.
• Often blames others for their problems or shortcomings.

Impact: Their pessimistic view can lower team morale, as others feel they are always walking on eggshells or dealing with complaints instead of solutions.

4. The Saboteur: “Sneaky Sam”

• Undermines others’ work or tries to take credit for others’ achievements.
• May spread misinformation or intentionally fail to communicate important details.
• Can sabotage projects either directly or indirectly, out of jealousy or a desire to appear superior.
• Often works behind the scenes to create discord or to manipulate outcomes for personal gain.

Impact: Their actions can erode trust among colleagues and stall progress, leading to confusion, missed opportunities, and wasted resources.

5. The Drama King/Queen: “Tina Tornado”

• Thrives on creating chaos and emotional volatility in the workplace.
• Often overreacts to minor issues, blowing things out of proportion.
• Seeks attention and drama in meetings, often shifting the focus away from productive work.
• Can be overly theatrical in their emotional responses or decision-making.

Impact: This personality can disrupt the workflow, distract from actual goals, and lead to emotional exhaustion for those around them.

6. The Narcissist: “No-Compromise Nigel”

• Highly self-centered, often believing they are superior to others.
• Lacks empathy for coworkers and dismisses their contributions.
• Takes credit for others’ work and can’t accept constructive criticism.
• Often uses manipulation or charm to get their way or to elevate themselves in the workplace.

Impact: A narcissist can create an unbalanced work environment, where the focus is on their own success at the expense of team collaboration, leading to resentment and disengagement.

So what can you do about it? 

First, realise that most of these behaviours are born out of insecurity, incompetence, imposter syndrome and sometimes just plain ignorance.  There will however also be a small number of actual psychopaths who are very deliberate about their actions and who are fully aware of the impact they have on others.  These are the really dangerous ones that you need to avoid at all costs.

“A toxic work environment is more likely to change you
than you are to change it.” 

It’s a sad reality but I would suggest that the first question ought to be whether or not to get out before any more damage is done.  You need to take care of yourself first and foremost because a broken you is not going to be much use to anyone, not your work and not your family.

My next recommendation would be to find someone in a position of authority in the company who has a sympathetic ear and let them know what’s going on.  If they are fairly senior they may or may not be aware of what is going on in your part of the jungle, but they might just have the juice to do something about it. 

Psychosocial hazards in the workplace are going to get a lot more airtime in coming years (unless Elon Musk replaces us all with AI) and we all need to get better at identifying the things that are hurting us and doing something proactive to address them before the harm is done. 

If you are dealing with some psychosocial hazards at work or maybe one or more of the toxic weirdos listed above and would like some strategies for protecting yourself and coming out on top then reach out to The Workplace Coach and let us help you get back to finding your equilibrium.