Manipulators at Work: Dealing with Narcissistic, Toxic, and Emotionally Abusive Colleagues

Overview:

Manipulators at Work peels back the layers of control and subtle aggression often disguised as charm, competence, or "just being direct." This powerful and eye-opening session equips you with the insight and tools to recognize these behaviours, understand their deeper motivations, and respond in ways that protect your well-being and uphold team health.

Through practical frameworks, relatable examples, and proven techniques, Beverly guides teams to break free from emotional traps and psychological games. You’ll learn how to set boundaries that stick, communicate assertively, and prevent these behaviours from derailing morale, productivity, and trust.

The Transformation? Participants gain clarity, emotional safety, and practical tools to navigate the most manipulative personalities with confidence, resilience, and self-respect-ensuring that even the most difficult colleague doesn't control the narrative, the culture, or your peace of mind.

Don’t let manipulation go unchecked. Learn how to spot the signs, stand your ground, and safeguard the health of your team from toxic influence.

Why you should Attend:

Ever walked away from a workplace interaction questioning your reality or wondering if it’s you that’s the problem? You may be dealing with a manipulator. Whether it’s narcissistic behavior, emotional abuse, or power games behind a polished facade, these manipulative tactics quietly erode trust, safety, and performance within teams. Left unchecked, they create a toxic undercurrent that can leave your team anxious, second-guessing themselves, and burned out.

Areas Covered in the Session:

• Decode Manipulative Tactics: Recognize common patterns of manipulation, including gaslighting, guilt-tripping, triangulation, and blame-shifting-so you can name it and stop internalizing it
• Understand the Narcissistic Playbook: Identify the red flags and behavioural drivers of narcissistic colleagues-and why typical conflict-resolution strategies often fail with them
• Shift from Reacting to Responding: Develop emotionally intelligent and assertive responses that allow you to stay grounded, protect your boundaries, and reduce escalation
• Reclaim Your Confidence and Voice: Learn how to document behaviours, build support systems, and speak up in ways that prioritize both safety and self-respect
• Build a Healthier Team Dynamic: Strengthen your team’s collective resilience and communication strategies to reduce susceptibility to toxic power dynamics

Benefits Summary:

• Clarity and Awareness: Gain the ability to spot manipulation quickly-reducing self-doubt and emotional confusion
• Psychological Safety: Equip your team with strategies to create a safer environment, where concerns are addressed and abusive behaviours are not normalized
• Assertive Communication: Learn how to respond clearly and confidently, even when faced with emotional pressure or verbal games
• Improved Boundaries: Develop skills to protect your personal energy and encourage healthy workplace norms
• Team Resilience: Foster a culture where manipulation loses power and colleagues support one another in holding firm against toxic dynamics
• Conflict Navigation: Move difficult relationships forward in a way that centres dignity, facts, and fairness

Who Will Benefit:

• Employees at All Levels
• Team Leaders and Mid-Level Managers
• HR Professionals
• Executives and Senior Leadership
• Mental Health and Wellness Coordinators