Like desperate survivors in a lifeboat, managers whose jobs are jeopardized because of company change sometimes resort to tactics they wouldn’t ordinarily consider.
One of the worst—backstabbing—often increases during a stormy period, but it can occur even in a normal business climate. It pays to be on the lookout for colleagues or superiors who may be out to undermine you so that you can decide when and how to respond.
- Motives. Backstabbers‘ actions are often triggered by several different things, rather than one particular factor. A sense of insecurity, which may be heightened during a period of transition, is most often the reason why someone tries to discredit you. You may exude an air of competence that the underminer perceives as threatening. Or your responsibilities may overlap territory the backstabber regards as his— or hers—alone. ..more
