Manipulative coworkers use deceitful tactics like psychological pressure, behavioural exploitation, and emotional manipulation to gain control at others’ expense, disrupting workplace trust and collaboration. To counter this, adopt calculated strategies inspired by Machiavellian principles: understand their motives to anticipate their actions, exploit their weaknesses subtly, and play the long game by appearing cooperative while gathering information. Control the flow of information to mislead them, isolate them by subtly exposing their behaviour to others, and maintain unpredictability to disrupt their tactics. Building a strong public image through competence and reliability shields you from their influence, while strategic exposure of their actions, when timed well, can effectively neutralise their power.

Mahbub Ashrafi

Popular tracks