Let’s Get Clear on Gaslighting at Work

Have you ever felt like your reality at work was TWISTED?

Let's get clear about GASLIGHTING at WORK- How it looks, feels and its impact on mental health and job satisfaction!

GASLIGHTING IS:
•Denial of your experience: You boss says it did not happen, but you know it did and there may even be people who saw it!
•Your memory of events is questioned: “Are you sure?” “You tend to be/forget/do…”
•Blame is shifted: “If you were more/less something…”X” would not happen.
•Invalidated feelings: “You always overreact!” “You are so dramatic!”

Gaslighting leaves you doubting your reality, feeling isolated and questioning your sanity.

It is manipulation that undermines trust in your perceptions and intelligence!

GASLIGHTING IS NOT:
•Feedback: “Your report lacked the necessary detail.”- This is about improving the quality of work.

•Disagreement: A different perspective does not indicate gaslighting- sometimes healthy debate fosters growth and improves perspective and understanding – it is how wecommunicate that matters.

•Admitting mistakes/Accountability: “I think there may be a gap in our communication- I want to acknowledge my part in this- let’s take another look together.

How can you tell the difference?
•Feedback is aimed at the thing (work, etc.) not the person.
•Feedback is about growth not invalidation.

If you do not like the feedback, ask yourself:
•Is it attacking my character or addressing a specific issue?
•Is there any evidence that supports the feedback I have received (what might be true?
•Can I use this constructively?