Manipulation in the workplace is a tactic that can make you doubt yourself and lose confidence in your abilities. Here are two important signs that show if you are experiencing this phenomenon and how you can protect yourself with maturity and confidence.
The boss ignores your version of events?
If your boss constantly denies previous conversations or changes the facts to make you look wrong, you may be a victim of manipulation. In such cases, it happens that any attempt to defend your version of events is avoided. For example, a study by "The Monist" shows that such manipulation makes people feel guilty and insecure about their reality.
Key manipulation strategies include:
Avoidance: The manipulator ignores the facts that support your opinion, making you feel like your arguments are invalid.
Blame Shift: It suggests that the problem lies with you, making you think that you are inadequate or unstable.
To protect yourself, start documenting every important conversation or decision made with your boss. This simple method will help maintain a strong evidence base should your version of events be questioned. Also, try to include a trusted colleague to witness the conversations. This will limit the possibility of manipulation.
2. Your boss makes you feel vague and insecure?
Another manipulation tactic is to lower your self-confidence. When your boss downplays your accomplishments or downplays your concerns, it can lead to emotional exhaustion and job dissatisfaction.
A study from "Frontiers in Psychology" shows that manipulation often occurs when bosses promote role conflicts, leaving employees feeling unappreciated.
A user on Reddit shared that after the birth of her child, she began to blame herself for her "lack" of performance, even though she had always been a successful employee. She later discovered that she was unknowingly being held accountable for tasks outside of her responsibility due to her boss's manipulations.
To remain steadfast in these situations it is important to be aware of your values ??and achievements. Also, be sure to keep people around who can provide you with support and help you identify the manipulation that may be taking place.
Don't let manipulative tactics make you feel weak. Use facts and evidence to defend your truth and help yourself regain control.
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