Understanding Work Gaslighting

(Let's initiate a dialogue and exchange our experiences)

In today's therapy session, a topic that resonated deeply with me was "work gaslighting." It's a term that immediately caught my attention. Yes, I do go to therapy, and yes, I believe it's crucial to discuss these matters openly. The concept of gaslighting, particularly in the workplace, isn't widely acknowledged, yet it's a reality for many. Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that sows seeds of doubt in a person, making them question their reality, memory, or perceptions.?

Gaslighting at work can often be subtle and insidious, making it difficult to recognize. It involves manipulative behaviors by colleagues, supervisors, or subordinates that cause an individual to doubt their perceptions, memories, or judgments. This psychological manipulation can lead to decreased self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and a pervasive sense of confusion and inadequacy. It's a tactic often used to exert control, and unfortunately, it can be prevalent in professional environments.??

To better understand this toxic behavior and learn how to counteract it, here are seven examples of gaslighting at work:

Persistent Negative Feedback on Performance: Consistently receiving negative feedback can make you question your competence and skills. When the criticism is baseless or exaggerated and designed to make you feel inadequate, it becomes gaslighting.

Public Criticism: Hearing a suspected gaslighter speak negatively about you in public can be humiliating and confusing. This tactic is intended to undermine your confidence and damage your reputation among peers.

Untrue Gossip: Discovering that false or exaggerated gossip is being spread about you is a classic gaslighting move. It's aimed at isolating you and making you question your social standing and relationships at work.

Inconsistencies in Words and Actions: A gaslighter may say one thing to you in private and then act in a completely different manner. This inconsistency can leave you doubting your own understanding of situations and conversations.

Questioning Your Reality: One of the most insidious aspects of gaslighting is being made to question your perception of reality. When your experiences or the facts are consistently dismissed or twisted, it can lead you to doubt your own sanity.

Belittling Your Feelings or Efforts: When your emotions, efforts, or perceptions are trivialized, it's a form of gaslighting that invalidates your experiences. This tactic can make you feel like your feelings or contributions are unworthy of acknowledgment.

Exclusion from Meetings or Events: Being deliberately left out of important meetings or events that are relevant or required for your job is a subtle yet effective form of gaslighting. It can make you feel invisible and question your value within the organization.

Gaslighting at work can have profound effects on one's mental health and job satisfaction. By understanding and identifying gaslighting behaviors, we can take steps to protect ourselves and create a healthier work environment. Remember, you're not alone, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Remember, acknowledging the problem is the beginning of taking back control and ensuring that your workplace is a healthy and respectful environment.