Have you ever been manipulated or backstabbed by a work colleague? How angry or disappointed were you? We bet you wanted to teach that person a lesson but probably didn't know what to do. Coworker manipulative behavior or backstabbing is something that happens in many kinds of work environments. The percentage of backstabbers increases with efficiency or popularity in the workplace. While it's best to avoid conflict with them frequently, it's crucial to manage them well. Here's how to go about dealing with a backstabbing coworker.
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Types of coworkers
Belittlers
These are people who make offensive remarks and statements.
Slack-offers
This group avoids doing their jobs and throws their responsibilities on others.
Credit-thieves
Thieves plagiarize others' ideas and steal them.
Scorched-earth managers
Stay away from these people as they tend to fire capable colleagues to prevent any threats.
The gurus of the blaming
You don't want to deal with those since they are great finger pointers.
Rumormongers
Finally, these are the people who spread rumors, among other things.
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How to handle backstabbing coworkers
Stop sharing your heart
Be careful what you talk about or what information you share at work; avoid sharing personal information. Avoid being honest if a coworker seems overly interested in your private life or your thoughts on a different employee. In reality, grin and steer clear of such inquiries.
Keep your ideas to yourself
Be careful not to share any thoughts you may have regarding a project you are working on with a coworker who is dishonest. Only share your thoughts with a supervisor when they are present. You can also ask your supervisor to assign different tasks to different team members so that you can be recognized for the work you put in.
Pay attention to changes
People tend to try to bring others down in order to preserve their position when there is a sudden shift in the workplace or there are rumors that some will be fired. Just refrain from discussing too many personal or work-related topics with anyone during such times.
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Beware of the gossip circle
Backstabbers make an effort to get along with you while spreading unfavorable rumors about a work colleague. Avoid promoting such conversations and simply don't throw gas to the fire. Anything you say could be used against you later on.
Don't pay attention to them
No matter how the backstabbers try to incite you, keep calm. Avoid dealing with them as much as you can. They may whisper into each other’s ears looking at you or they will smile while you are passing sarcastically. The reason why they're doing so is to get a reaction from you or upset you.
Surround yourself with supportive people
Surround yourself with supportive co-workers and build good relationships at work. Have a nice, supportive colleagues at your side. Make sure not to talk to them about backstabbers though. Feel free to talk about anything else. Backstabbers will consequently back off when they see that you're not intimidated and having fun.
Choose your battles wisely
React only when a situation becomes more serious, and only in a controlled, collected manner. When you act irrationally, lose your cool, and yell at the backstabbers, you are also contributing to the issue and won't be able to resolve it. Therefore, when confronting, do so with thought and control.