Every workplace has two games — one you’re hired to play, and one you’re never told about. The first rewards performance. The second rewards perception. The winners understand both.

Most manipulation begins long before words are spoken. By combining insights from body language and workplace psychology, you can detect toxicity early — before it spreads.

Toxic colleagues can quietly sabotage careers and drain energy. But you don’t have to absorb their chaos. With the right strategies, you can shield yourself, keep control, and thrive—even in the most difficult workplace environments.

Some colleagues thrive on attention, control, and recognition—often at your expense. Here’s how to spot self-centered behavior at work, why it happens, and the smartest ways to protect yourself without losing professionalism.