January/February, 2024  

Recognizing and Coping with the Saboteurs in the Workplace

Kay Fittes, February, 2024

If you have been in the workplace for more than about two minutes, you are bound to have encountered saboteurs.  You may just want to ignore them and hope they go away.  That’s understandable, it can be unnerving to think about taking these people on.  They come in several forms:  employee saboteurs; peer saboteurs; and boss saboteurs.  If you get nothing else from this article, hear this – ignoring it is self-sabotage.

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Kay’s Consulting Corner

Each month in this section, Kay offers actionable career consulting tips.

Being Saboteur Savvy

1. Face the fear.  Probably the most difficult part of dealing with saboteurs is facing the fact that you are going to have to do something, or the situation is going to get worse.  The prospect of addressing this problem may really terrify you.  I had a client a few years ago that would develop hives when she had to face an issue like this.  Deciding to do SOMETHING is the most challenging part of the entire process.  Anticipation of taking this step is often more difficult than actually doing it.  Remember, this can be a process, you don’t have to take all the steps I’ve recommended at once.  Try linking acting on this workplace issue with another fear you have dealt with successfully.  Perhaps you were frightened to address an issue with your father about your choice of college majors as an 18 year old student.  You summoned all your courage and did it.  Maybe, your father was skeptical of your choice, but you have become a successful data analyst.  If you could deal with dad, you can deal with talking with your boss.
   
   
2. Weigh the situation. Try a brain dump.  Sit down at your laptop or with pen and paper and name every warning sign you can.  Weigh how legitimate the label of saboteur is for this situation.  Is there another way of looking at it?  Could it be that you and your perceived saboteur just have different working styles?  Could your self-confidence be an issue here?  Might Imposter Syndrome be rearing its ugly head in this situation?  If needed, perhaps you should seek out an unbiased advisor.  Would they come to the same conclusion as you?  Remember, AVOID discussing this with someone at work.  I don’t care how many times they tell you it is 100% confidential, don’t take the risk.
   
   
3. Move the needle.  Just move the needle.  Remember, I said you don’t have to do this all at once.  Identify three steps you could take.  Does that feel overwhelming?  Then just name two or one.  Do something.  Haven’t you found that getting started is the most difficult part of any challenging situation?  Once you move out of paralysis, the actions usually get easier.  Find yourself a trusted cheerleader, someone that will keep nudging you along and affirming that you can do this.  When you waver, they will be strong for you.  My clients often call me their “gentle butt-kicker” in these type of situations!  I keep them moving, one step at a time toward their destination.  That’s the type of individual that will likely be valuable to you.
   

Are you being sabotaged in the workplace?  Is your reputation suffering as a result?  I have collaborated with numerous clients to cope with saboteur behavior at work and I may be the person you need to effectively deal with this situation.  Let’s turn this damaging circumstance around.  Give me a call or email me to set up a complimentary 45-minute consultation: (513) 561-4288 or kay@highheeledsuccess.com.

Testimonial - Suzanne Gall

It is with pleasure that I recommend Kay Fittes, CEO, High-Heeled Success, for any consultation, keynote presentation, or workshop presenter needs that you may have.  Kay recently was the keynote speaker at our Annual Business Success Summit in Perrysburg, Ohio.  She was very thorough with the preparation for our event to ensure that she was meeting the needs of our participants.

Kay was the consummate professional from our initial contact to the conclusion of our event.  Her presentation was delivered in a relatable style that kept audience members thoroughly engaged.  Participants found her to be empowering and approachable.  Kay’s impactful and inspiring message on “How to Kick Your Success Roadblocks to the Curb” was the absolute perfect open for our Child Care Business Success Summit.

I highly recommend Kay and would not hesitate to secure Kay for any future events for the YWCA Child Care Resource and Referral of Northwest Ohio.

Suzanne Gall
Director

High-Heeled Success^® supports Dress for Success through donations of clothing, time and money.  We offer complimentary seats at every workshop for women participating in the Dress for Success program.

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