Hey there, LinkedIn fam! 👋 I hope you’re all thriving in your respective careers and finding the perfect balance between self-expression and corporate conformity. Today, let’s shed some light on a buzzword that has been buzzing around for quite some time now – “Gaslighting at Workplace.” 🤔💼
Now, why is this topic close to my heart? My journey in the corporate world has been quite the rollercoaster ride, and let’s just say, I have had my fair share of gaslighting experiences. But hey, that’s what makes me uniquely qualified to talk about and I am sure everyone has definitely faced this phenomenon at their respective workplace! 💥😅
The Genesis of Gaslighting 🔥
The term “gaslighting” originated from the 1938 play and later a film, “Gas Light,” in which a manipulative husband tries to make his wife doubt her sanity by dimming the gaslights and denying it. Fast forward to today, it has evolved into a psychological tactic where someone attempts to undermine another person’s reality, causing confusion and self-doubt. And guess what? It’s made its way into the world of cubicles and Zoom calls!
The Evolution and Why the Pandemic Fanned the Flames 🤷♂️
Over the years, gaslighting has evolved from a domestic setting to the boardroom battleground. It’s become a favourite pastime of some colleagues and bosses, often leaving employees questioning their own competence and judgment. During the pandemic, the usage of “Gaslighting” skyrocketed and Merriam-Webster named “gaslighting” as the word of the year for 2022. This was due to a 1,740% increase in lookups for the word and here’s why:
🌐 Remote Work Realities: With the blurred lines between work and home, gaslighting found new avenues to creep in
🏡 Isolation Amplification: Remote work left many employees feeling isolated, making them more susceptible to manipulation
💼 Power Imbalance: The lack of physical presence made it easier for manipulators to control the narrative
💰 Economic Uncertainty: Job insecurity made employees more vulnerable, as they feared speaking up
Here Some Hard-Hitting Stats on Gaslighting and Its Effects on Employees 📊
1️⃣ A shocking 60% of employees have experienced gaslighting in the workplace
2️⃣ Women are 1.6 times more likely to be targeted than men
3️⃣ 45% of gaslighting victims reported a decrease in work performance
4️⃣ 70% of gaslighting incidents go unreported due to fear of retaliation
5️⃣ Gaslighting increases the risk of anxiety, depression and stress among victims
Detecting Gaslighting: 🕵️♂️
- Constant Denial: They never admit wrongdoing, even when it’s crystal clear
- Trivializing Feelings: Downplaying your emotions and experiences
- Shifting Blame: Making you the scapegoat for their mistakes
- Withholding Information: Keeping you in the dark to maintain control
- Twisting Facts: Distorting the truth to fit their narrative
- Excessive Criticism: They might constantly criticize you or your work to undermine your confidence
- Manipulative Compliments: False praise laced with sarcasm or hidden agendas
Avoid the Fog of Gaslighting: 🌫️
- Trust Your Gut: If something feels off, it probably is!
- Document Everything: Keep records of conversations and incidents
- Seek Support: Talk to a trusted colleague or supervisor
- Set Boundaries: Clearly define acceptable behaviour
- HR Involvement: Don’t hesitate to involve HR when necessary
- Self-Care: Prioritize your mental health
- Be Vocal: Encourage open dialogue about workplace behavior
- Exit Gracefully: If it’s unbearable, the best way to win is to walk away
And remember, folks, if you ever find yourself in a gaslighting showdown at the office, just imagine them in a clown suit. 🤡 Trust me, it’s a lot harder to take someone seriously when they’re wearing oversized shoes and a red nose!
Stay resilient, keep that sense of humour intact 🙌😄
Have you had any gaslighting experiences or success stories? Share them in the comments section 👇
