How to identify and deal with backstabbers at work

Mon, May 17 04:30 PM


Backstabbing at workplace certainly devastates individuals, especially when a person doesn't know ho to deal with it. Now, career guru Kepcher has offered some advice on how to identify and cope with backstabbers at workplace.



Credit Stealer



Seemingly helpful team player who will enthusiastically support your suggestions and work to make the project a big success - particularly because she intends to take credit.



This will include magnifying her own role, using personal pronouns such as 'I' and 'me' as substitutes for "we" whenever possible.



The Chameleon



He, too, will appear to be a helpful team player, offering encouragement and support in private.



However, the chameleon will launch into his command performance whenever bosses are present and criticize ideas he supported some time back, including subtly accusing his peers of failing to notice the problems.



His every move is an effort to make himself look good - by making others look bad.



Backstabber In Chief



Occasionally, the Backstabber will also be the boss. Sigourney Weaver nailed this role in the movie "Working Girl."



The most encouraging boss imaginable will steal the assistant's potentially career-making idea.



How to handle all kinds of backstabbers at your office, by Kepcher, reports the New York Daily News:



Stay calm. Do not let them make you emotional and defensive.



Don't wander through the jungle alone. Beware of private conversations that can be misquoted later. Use e-mail and group meetings to document your contributions.



Be polite, but persistent. Learn to say no.



Use direct phrases such as, "I'm perplexed you have so many negative comments about our idea since you were so supportive when we spoke privately yesterday. Is there a reason you didn't bring up your concerns until now?"



By being direct and careful, you can help push the Backstabber species in your workplace to extinction as quickly as possible.