I hope you find this article by Shahida Arabi (2022) informative:
Workplace bullying can be considered workplace abuse and narcissism in the workplace, usually instigated by dark tetrad personalities (Machiavellianism, Narcissism, Psychopathy, and Sadism). There can be different manifestations of narcissism in the workplace and can take many forms. It is important to recognize some of the signs to better protect yourself and take action.
The effects of narcissistic abuse in the workplace can share similarities with an unhealthy relationship with a narcissistic partner or parent. The abusive behaviour often targets the victim’s mental health and self-worth through a range of coercive behaviours, leading them into a state of confusion and cognitive dissonance.
It is clear from research that narcissistic and psychopathic personalities in the workplace undermine co-workers they deem threatening or more talented, however unethical their means. Their envy of others is a part of the DSM V criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is not so much their merit but their ability to covertly sabotage others and charm people which leads them to such coveted positions.
Some common narcissistic abuse examples in the workplace include:
- Gaslighting: This is a manipulative tactic where the narcissistic individual makes you doubt your own perceptions, feelings, and memories. They might deny that certain events occurred or insist that you are misremembering things, making you question your own sanity and judgment.
- Sabotaging your work: A coworker or boss might deliberately interfere with your projects, setting you up for failure and then blaming you for the negative outcome. They may place unrealistic demands on you or regularly moving the goal posts. They may even withhold important information from you that you need.
- Coercive control: Patterns of coercive control can be common in the workplace. Narcissistic personalities often need to be in control of every situation and their environment, and this can manifest as micromanaging, monitoring your movements, stealing your ideas, taking credit for your work, or making decisions without consulting you.
- Isolation: A narcissistic individual may attempt to isolate you from your coworkers by spreading rumours, manufacturing lies, creating alliances against you or recruiting allies to abuse you (“flying monkeys”). They may also have you work alone on projects or leave you out of meetings. They can manipulate those in management about your performance and generally sow confusion and conflict in the work environment.
- Public humiliation: Narcissistic personalities may belittle, criticize, or put you down in front of coworkers to undermine your confidence. They may provoke you to elicit a negative emotional response from you to label you as the abusive colleague.
- Nice-mean cycle: Much like narcissist personalities in other relationships, narcissistic personalities in the workplace can display a behaviour known as ‘love bombing’. Especially at the beginning of a working relationship, the boss or colleague can shower you with attention and praise, only to shift into abusive behaviours. They can engage with intermittent reinforcement: engaging in hot and cold behaviour that switches quickly between a caring colleague or boss to and an abusive one.
- Projection: They accuse you of doing what they’re doing. They project all their own shortcomings onto you.
- Lack of empathy: Narcissistic bosses and colleagues tend to lack empathy and may only appear to be nice to you when you are fulfilling their needs or serving a purpose for them.
Pathological narcissistic individuals thrive on power, control, and admiration, and the workplace can provide an ideal setting for them to assert their dominance. Narcissistic work colleagues or bosses want you to be serving their self-esteem needs. If you are not part of their army of supporters providing them their narcissistic supply on a constant basis (flattery, attention, adoration, praise) then chances are you may be devalued and even discarded (pushed out of the workplace).
Being vigilant about the warning signs of pathological narcissism can save individuals from significant emotional turmoil. The long-term effects of narcissistic abuse in the workplace can vary but may include anxiety, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, intrusive thoughts, and triggers related to past traumatic events.
Navigating narcissism at work can be an entirely different landscape than handling narcissism in one’s personal life. I have a particular interest in assisting individuals in the recovery process after experiencing narcissistic abuse in the workplace and other relationships as well as educating groups on how to deal with the aftermath of the narcissistic impact in the work environment. Workplace bullying is widespread in our society and carries many negative consequences. Much more attention needs to be paid to the recovery of narcissistic abuse in the workplace.
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REFERENCES
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
