PBB Housemate Klarisse De Guzman&rsquo;s &ldquo;OA!&rdquo; scene has been circulating online, and her heated discussion with Dustin Yu raised a question many people share: &ldquo;Have I been working with someone manipulative and closed-minded?&rdquo; In any workplace, collaboration and trust are key to a healthy environment. But sometimes, we encounter people whose actions slowly erode that trust, without us even realizing it.
Manipulative colleagues can be subtle, persuasive, and often charming on the surface, making it hard to spot the red flags right away. If you&rsquo;ve been feeling uneasy around someone at work, here are three signs that you might be dealing with a manipulative person:
1. They twist the truth to fit their agenda
Manipulative coworkers are skilled at bending facts and conversations to benefit themselves. They might downplay their own mistakes or retell stories in a way that paints them as the hero or victim, depending on what works best for them. You&rsquo;ll often find yourself second-guessing your memory or judgment because they&rsquo;re so confident in their version of events.
2. They use guilt or flattery to get what they want
One moment, they&rsquo;re making you feel bad for not helping them. Then, they&rsquo;re pouring on compliments to get you to say yes to something. Manipulative individuals use emotional tactics like guilt-tripping or excessive praise to influence your decisions. They aim to keep you off balance, so you&rsquo;re more likely to comply with their wishes.
3. They divide and conquer
Manipulative people often pit coworkers against each other. They may gossip, spread rumors, or subtly plant seeds of doubt about others to break alliances and keep control. By controlling the narrative and isolating individuals, they gain more power in the group dynamic.
It&rsquo;s difficult to spot manipulation, especially when you&rsquo;re the one being manipulated. This is why you should always try to be objective and see the bigger picture. So, keep your eyes out for people like this, Fam!&nbsp;