Struggling with Gaslighting at Work? Here’s How to Reclaim Your Confidence!.

Workplace gaslighting is a subtle form of manipulation that can make you doubt your own reality, erode your confidence, and cause unnecessary stress. Over time, it can lead to mental health struggles, job dissatisfaction, and emotional exhaustion. Gaslighters may deny previous conversations, shift blame, or accuse you of “misremembering” events, leaving you feeling confused and defensive.

If you find yourself questioning your perceptions or constantly second-guessing your actions at work, you might be dealing with gaslighting. Here are several effective strategies to help you recognize and overcome it:

Document Every Interaction

Gaslighters often manipulate conversations and agreements, causing you to question what was said or promised. One of the most effective ways to counter this is by keeping a detailed record of all key interactions.

Write summaries: After important meetings, follow up with an email summarizing the discussion to create a written record.

Keep a journal: Note specific dates and details of incidents where you felt undermined.

Involve others: Having witnesses during critical conversations can add an extra layer of accountability.

Maintaining a written record provides clarity and protects you from manipulation.

Trust Your Own Perceptions

Gaslighting can cause you to second-guess your instincts and feel uncertain about your judgment. However, trusting your gut is one of the most powerful ways to push back against this form of manipulation.

Validate your feelings: Remind yourself that your emotions and experiences are valid.

Reflect on events: Regularly review what has happened, comparing it to your notes to rebuild confidence in your perceptions.

Your intuition is often correct, and trusting it can help you maintain control over your reality.

Seek External Support

Gaslighters thrive on making you feel isolated. Reaching out to trusted friends, family, or professionals can offer clarity and support.

Talk it through: Sharing your experiences with others can help confirm that you’re not imagining things.

Build a support network: Surrounding yourself with supportive individuals reminds you of your value and strengthens your resilience.

External perspectives provide essential reinforcement, helping you see the situation clearly.

Set Boundaries

Dealing with a gaslighter can be mentally draining, so setting firm boundaries is crucial to protect your well-being.

Limit interaction: Keep conversations focused on work and minimize personal exchanges.

Enforce your boundaries: Be clear about what behaviors you will not tolerate and be prepared to step away from manipulative conversations.

Boundaries help you maintain control and protect your mental health.

Stay Calm and Professional

Gaslighters often provoke emotional reactions to discredit you or undermine your credibility. By staying calm and professional, you take away their power.

Stick to the facts: Respond to accusations with clear, documented evidence, such as emails or records.

Avoid emotional confrontations: Keeping your cool ensures the conversation stays focused on facts, leaving little room for manipulation.

Remaining composed not only protects your credibility but also demonstrates that you’re not easily manipulated.

Gaslighting can be damaging, but with these strategies, you can regain control, rebuild your confidence, and create a healthier work environment. Remember, you are not at fault—the manipulative behavior is. By trusting yourself and setting boundaries, you can protect your well-being and thrive in your workplace.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.