In 2023, I commissioned Campus Consultancy to produce two e-books with a clear purpose: to support young people entering the workforce and to guide employers in nurturing young talent. The titles, How to Be the Employee Everybody Wants to Work With and How to Be the Employer Everybody Wants to Work For, are more than just catchy phrases. They embody a mission to foster a GREAT PLACE TO WORK culture from the outset of one’s professional journey.
How to Be the Employee Everybody Wants to Work With and How to Be the Employer Everybody Wants to Work For
This week, I had the privilege of gathering a group of seasoned executives, each with years of experience navigating the complex currents of the corporate world. Our focus? To distill their hard-earned wisdom into our next project. The discussion was sharp, the insights illuminating, but one theme eclipsed all others: The Secret to Thriving at Work: What They Wish They’d Told You.
The consensus was unequivocal: Learn how to recognise a toxic workplace. These executives, hardened by experience, underscored the importance of understanding the Drama Triangle and spotting the Machiavellian tendencies that so often fuel it. Their advice was blunt and to the point—get out of these environments fast.
The Drama Triangle, a concept developed by Stephen Karpman, maps out the roles people tend to fall into during conflict or high-stress situations: the Victim, the Persecutor, and the Rescuer.
- Victim: The one who feels oppressed, helpless, and powerless. This person often believes they have no control over their situation and seeks out someone to save them.
- Persecutor: The critic, the blamer. The Persecutor asserts control or dominance, typically in a harsh or judgmental manner, reinforcing the Victim’s sense of helplessness.
- Rescuer: The hero, or so it seems. The Rescuer steps in to save the Victim, but in doing so, they often reinforce the Victim’s dependency, keeping the toxic cycle alive.
This triangle is particularly poisonous in the workplace, where it can breed a culture of dependency, blame, and conflict. Recognising when you or others are slipping into these roles is the first step to breaking the cycle and cultivating a healthier, more productive work environment.
The shadow of Machiavelli looms large over the workplace, not just as a historical figure, but as a symbol of a certain personality type—one characterised by manipulation, deceit, and a relentless focus on personal gain at the expense of others. Machiavellian individuals are experts at exploiting the Drama Triangle to their advantage, pulling the strings to ensure that the cycle of conflict and dependency spins ever on, to their benefit.
In practice, these individuals might:
- Manipulate Relationships: They sow divisions, encouraging conflicts among colleagues to keep themselves in a position of power.
- Exploit Vulnerabilities: They identify and prey on the weaknesses of others, whether it’s a colleague’s desire to help (Rescuer) or someone’s sense of injustice (Victim).
- Deflect Blame: These individuals are masters at shifting responsibility onto others, making themselves appear blameless, or worse, the hero in a crisis they themselves have engineered.
Then there is the subtle art of triangulation—a manoeuvre that manipulates the narrative to suit the interests of those in power. These are the moments when leaders choose not to confront criticisms directly. Instead, they manipulate a team member into acting as the intermediary, conveying messages or demands on their behalf. The leader, meanwhile, stays in the background, maintaining a carefully crafted image of detachment, while subtly steering the narrative to their advantage.
The executives we consulted were unanimous in their warning: if you find yourself in a workplace dominated by Machiavellian behaviour, don’t stick around. Such environments are the antithesis of a GREAT PLACE TO WORK. They foster mistrust, resentment, and a culture where survival takes precedence over collaboration and innovation.
The takeaway from these conversations is clear. Recognising toxic elements early is not just crucial—it’s essential for maintaining both your personal and professional integrity. In workplaces where success is measured by how effectively one can undermine others, there’s a real danger of absorbing these negative behaviours. Escaping these environments is more than just self-preservation; it’s about committing to the principles of respect, integrity, and authentic leadership that are the foundations of a GREAT PLACE TO WORK culture.
For young professionals, the ability to identify and steer clear of toxic workplaces—especially those characterised by manipulation and drama—is a crucial skill. It’s not just about safeguarding your career and mental health; it’s about thriving in environments that genuinely value growth, collaboration, and respect.
As we continue to develop resources to help young people navigate their careers, these insights will be at the heart of our advice and recommendations, ensuring that the next generation not only survives but thrives in a workplace culture that is truly great.
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