5 types of manipulators at work: How to spot and deal with them

At any workplace, we can see different types of people-- from the victim player to the credit stealer. Such manipulators make the workplace a toxic environment, hinder people's productivity, and damage the whole team's morale. And so, recognising them early is much needed to protect your mental peace. Here we list some common types of manipulators at work and how to identify them:

Such are sweet to you on your face, but behind your back, they take credit for your ideas and work. They often present themselves as team players but subtly edge their name into projects they contributed little to. Watch for vague language in meetings like “we came up with this” when they didn’t contribute. They often work behind the scenes, gelling with higher-ups while ensuring others’ achievements are downplayed. To spot them, pay attention to their words that don’t match their actual contributions. Keep records of your work and speak up about your role-- this can help protect your efforts.

Such people use emotional manipulation to make others feel bad for setting boundaries or saying no. Their goal is to wear down your resistance by making you feel selfish or uncooperative, and making you do the extra work. Guilt-trippers often prey on empathetic coworkers who don’t want to be perceived as unkind. You can spot them by how frequently they bring up favours or sacrifices they’ve made. The best defence is maintaining clear boundaries and not justifying every “no.”

Instead of direct confrontation, this type of manipulator subtly undermines others through sarcasm, backhanded compliments, or delayed responses. They might “forget” to pass along key information or deliver work late to make a teammate look bad. Their behaviour creates confusion and tension while allowing them to deny wrongdoing. If you are dealing with such a person at the workplace, document and address such issues head-on in a calm, professional tone.

This manipulator uses compliments, charm, and exaggerated praise to gain favour or extract something from others. While some flattery can be genuine, manipulators use it as a tool to influence decisions or gain access to resources. They often shift loyalty quickly depending on who has power or influence. You can spot them by how their tone changes with different people or how often a request follows their compliments. Stay cautious, and better to stay away from such people.

This kind of person constantly positions themselves as victims to avoid accountability or manipulate sympathy. They blame others for their mistakes or act helpless to get others to do their work. Stay professional with such colleagues, set clear boundaries and expectations, and avoid getting drawn into their emotional drama designed to distract from their responsibilities.