[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Fullwidth Post Title Header” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ background_color=”#f7f7f7″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(255,255,255,0.3)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(33,51,101,0)” parallax=”on” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_module=”767″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”on” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title author=”off” date=”off” comments=”off” featured_placement=”background” text_background=”on” text_bg_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.5)” admin_label=”Fullwidth Post Title” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ title_font=”Playfair Display|900|||on||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#213365″ title_font_size=”55px” meta_font=”Poppins|500|on||||||” meta_text_align=”center” meta_font_size=”14px” meta_letter_spacing=”2px” meta_line_height=”1.8em” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ background_color_gradient_direction=”245deg” custom_padding=”130px||250px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”150px||150px” custom_padding_phone=”50px||50px” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” title_font_size_tablet=”45px” title_font_size_phone=”40px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Post Content” _builder_version=”4.9.0″][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ admin_label=”Post Content” _builder_version=”4.9.0″][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ text_font=”Poppins||||||||” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”on” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Manipulative people are (unfortunately) everywhere. When there’s drama circulating, there’s a high chance that there’s a highly unpleasant person at the root of it. One thing’s for certain, once detected, it’s in your best interest to keep these types of people at arm’s length.<\/p>\n
When toxic types can\u2019t control the way you see yourself, they may try to control how others see you; they play the martyr while you\u2019re labeled the toxic one. This is what’s often called a ‘Smear Campaign.’<\/p>\n
This is where a narcissist launches a preemptive strike to sabotage your reputation and slander your name so that you don\u2019t have a support network to fall back on.<\/p>\n
Warning this could get ugly- they may try to stalk and harass you or the people you know as a way to supposedly \u201cexpose\u201d the truth about you; this exposure acts as a deflective tactic to hide their own abusive behavior. In this case, the smear campaign tactic has been used to pit two people or two groups against each other.<\/p>\n
Perhaps they get a sense of power or they enjoy the drama and the misery they create; perhaps they’re projecting their inner demons punishing others for the wrongdoings of people in their past. Maybe some can’t help it – they simply can’t detect their own toxicity.<\/p>\n
Manipulators very often employ a tactic called Triangulation which is used to keep parties from speaking to one another.<\/p>\n
So what do you do if you smell a rat? When You’ve Been Played off Against Another Person(s), Have These 3 Conversations…<\/strong><\/p>\n
Illustrations courtesy of Shutterstock<\/strong>.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
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\nHi there, could I have a word?<\/strong><\/h5>\n
I would really appreciate your opinion. I’m a not entirely sure what happened but would you be willing to explain what was discussed last week with [Insert Name]?<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Resist the temptation to show strong emotion and listen intently maintaining a neutral expression. The intention is to get an objective view of what has potentially gone wrong in the situation.<\/p>\n
That said don’t expect to hear the truth from this person, telling the truth is not important to manipulative people and those with narcissistic tendencies.<\/p>\n
Make sure you set boundaries too. Don’t allow people to berate others to you without them being there to defend themselves and don’t fall for anyone ego massaging you might receive as a result of showing this manipulative person so much interest.<\/p>\n
By telling a narcissist you value their opinion you are catering to their needs of making them feel special which is more likely to get them to cooperate with you.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, many narcissists weren\u2019t given secure love when growing up and were only appreciated or celebrated for what they achieved.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nevertherightword.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/yes-man-never-right-word.jpg” admin_label=”Single Image” _builder_version=”4.4.8″ custom_css_main_element=”}||.wrapper {||position: relative;||height: 0;||\/* Formula is: (height \/ width * 100%) *\/||padding-top: calc(530 \/ 800 * 100%);||}||||.wrapper__img {||position: absolute;||top: 0;||left: 0;||max-width: 100%;||height: auto;” border_radii=”on|5px|5px|5px|5px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ locked=”on”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_code admin_label=”Improving Your Conflict Competence LinkedIn Learning Preview Video” _builder_version=”3.26.7″ text_orientation=”left” link_option_url=”https:\/\/linkedin-learning.pxf.io\/Zzz2X” link_option_url_new_window=”on” global_module=”10711″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”on”]If you want to develop your communication skills for professional environments even further, we think you\u2019ll like the “Improving Your Conflict Competence” video course from LinkedIn Learning. Check out the preview below:
