Tips for Managing Your Reputation in a Negative Environment

When I suspected a former coworker was sabotaging me at work, here’s the biggest mistake I made: I did nothing. I took the high road. I was convinced my hard work, my relationships, and my reputation would overshadow her efforts to sabotage me. What I didn’t realize is that her efforts slowly chipped away at my leadership brand. Here’s advice I would give myself now: 👉🏿 Be careful what information you share Watch out for repeated requests for information that doesn’t involve them or they really don’t need to know about. Be careful about sharing personal information; they may later use this to spread gossip about you. 👉🏿 Be direct and defend yourself You want to ensure the coworker sabotaging you knows that you know exactly what they are doing. if you aren’t direct and don’t defend yourself, you are allowing this individual to negatively impact your reputation. 👉🏿 Document what’s happening and alert your boss I didn’t go to my boss to share what was happening for a long time. When I finally did go to my boss, it was too late, the damage had been done. I later discovered my boss had become personal friends with my former coworker. 👉🏿 Know who will protect your name in your absence Don’t wait to share with your other coworkers what has been happening and how you are being targeted. It’s likely they have noticed this individual’s behaviors towards you in public forums. They may have heard lies or rumors about you, so they also can serve as a witness. The lesson for me has been this: We have to actively defend our reputation and all of our hard work and contributions in our workplaces. What would you add? #leadership #inclusion #culture #MitaMallick PS check out my full Fast Company piece on this - link in comments!

I refuse to let being labeled an Angry Black woman stop me from addressing conflict at work. It’s important to not ever keep the feelings you're left with after conflict bottled inside. Here are my 3 golden rules for resolving conflicts without compromising my reputation: 1. Always take a beat. I’ll be honest. There's nothing more infuriating than being undermined, but don't let it change how you show up. Take a beat to process your emotions before responding. For me, this looks like 1-2 days. 2. Once your mind is clear and you aren’t feeling motivated by anger or frustration, invite the other party to a meeting and address it. But when you do, focus on events and behaviors, not personality. 3. In preparation for your meeting, craft a plan. Write out exactly what you will communicate during your next interaction. Address the instance and offer how you both can collaborate and compromise moving forward to achieve your shared goal. Above all else, you have a right to be heard. Do not minimize the moment but show up as the leader you are.

We talk a lot about BUILDING alliances, mentors, and sponsors at work, but not enough about BURNING down relationships that no longer serve us. (this applies personally too) Early in my career, I learned this lesson the hard way. I shared something personal with a new coworker, believing I was fostering connection, only to realize within days that three other colleagues knew that information. What felt like trust quickly revealed itself as a power play. From that moment, I understood the importance of dismantling that relationship in a way that protected my reputation and preserved how I showed up. There are going to be times you will work with people (this applies personally too had to say that again) who do not mean you well. You have every right to reduce their access to you without diminishing your presence or your influence. Here are a few ways to do that with intention: Superficial updates only. Share information that sounds full but gives them nothing of substance. (specifically at work as you can't just ignore people if you work closely) Limit access. Reduce the opportunities for one-on-one conversations where oversharing is tempting. Redirect energy. Put your time into people who respect boundaries and strengthen your leadership. Being “superficial” often gets a bad rap, but there is real skill in learning how to talk at length while actually revealing very little. That skill allows you to remain professional, polished, and untouchable in moments when protecting yourself matters most. Not every relationship is meant to be saved, and sometimes the most powerful move is knowing when to let go while you keep moving forward.

I never encourage people to stay where they are being harmed. So if you can leave, make that move! However, if you can't immediately do so, or you’re in the hallway waiting for the next door to open, here’s what you can do: 1. Elevate your emotional intelligence even if that of your manager is low. You don't have to lower yours. You can still lead without the title. High emotional intelligence isn’t reserved for people managers. Your actions and attitude can inspire others, regardless of your position. Use your voice. Speak up to be added to projects and do your research on professional development courses or conferences you'd like to participate in.🗣️ 2. Advocating for yourself is crucial in any career. Don't be afraid to express your interest. Researching and being well-prepared shows your commitment and dedication to your growth, which can be appreciated by your superiors…or recruiters. 3. Avoid the gossip. Create your boundaries and maintain them. Office gossip can be tempting, but it rarely leads to anything positive. Dodging the dissing will maintain your integrity and build a reputation as someone who is trustworthy and professional. And when you leave, you can leave with your hands and mind clean. 4. Journal to release and document to defend. Keeping a journal can be a powerful tool for managing stress and documenting your experiences at work. Use it to release your emotions. It can also serve as a record of your accomplishments and interactions, which can be handy when it comes time for performance reviews or addressing workplace issues. 5. Find a therapist if you can—process work issues outside of work. Work-related stress and challenges can take a toll on your mental well-being. Seeking therapy is a proactive step to ensure you have a safe and confidential space to discuss your concerns, manage stress, and develop coping strategies. I tell all my clients to prioritize their well-being over everything. And that they have more power and agency than they know. Be strategic with how you practice self-care around work. Toxic workplaces can really do a number on you. Know your limits. Drop a 💡 if you found these helpful.

How to Deal with Difficult Coworkers 👇 I've worked with some challenging people in my career... and honestly? Each one took a big toll on me. Sometimes it was a client... Sometimes a coworker... And sometimes my manager. Toxic work environments can be out of our control - you just can't predict who you'll work with, no matter how much you research a job in advance. But with the right approach, you CAN improve your situation. ➡️ DON'T PLAY THE VICTIM — EVEN IF YOU ARE ONE Your job is to make your manager's life easier — not harder. Complaining without a solution shows poor leadership and signals you can't solve problems independently. Take responsibility and start solving the problem yourself. This mindset shift alone can dramatically change outcomes. ➡️ NOTHING WILL CHANGE UNLESS YOU DO SOMETHING The other person may not even know there's a problem, or they don't have enough reason to change. Speak up in a private, non-combative way: "I work best when..." or "It's challenging for me when..." Attack the problem, not the person. One conversation can transform a relationship that's been difficult for months. ➡️ GIVE DIRECT BUT RESPECTFUL FEEDBACK Pick a 1:1, a check-in, or ask for a meeting. Keep it calm, constructive, and focused on collaboration. You're not confronting — you're informing and improving. Frame it as a joint effort to create a better working relationship. ➡️ PROTECT YOUR REPUTATION If the situation might impact your image, notify your manager. Let them know you're working on it and will update them. This protects you from having your reputation damaged if the wrong story gets out. It shows maturity and leadership under pressure. ➡️ STAY PROFESSIONAL — ALWAYS Matching disrespect with disrespect only fuels the fire. They'll use your reaction as ammunition to continue their behavior or claim you're being unprofessional. Don't stoop to their level. Stay calm, stay sharp. When they go low, you go high. ➡️ BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE When you feel mistreated, take notes on what specifically bothers you. Use it to guide how you will treat others someday when you're in a position of authority. Great leaders don't repeat bad management — they learn from it. Managing people is genuinely hard - balancing praise with constructive feedback takes skill. ➡️ DON'T FIX IT FOR OTHERS — HELP THEM FIX IT THEMSELVES If someone comes to you with a coworker problem, listen. But instead of solving it for them, empower them to act. Teach them how to handle it — that's true leadership. As the saying goes, give someone a fish and you feed them for a day; teach them to fish and you feed them for a lifetime. === Sometimes, despite your best efforts, there's no fixing a toxic environment. Know when it's time to move departments or jobs. I'm a big believer that who you work with matters as much as what you do. What strategies have worked for you when dealing with difficult coworkers? Drop your thoughts below 👇