For every person like that, a handful drag the culture down.
They may not realise it. Or maybe they do—and don’t care.
So today, we’re talking about those people. You’ve met them. You’ve worked with them. You might be working with one right now.
Let’s meet the usual suspects.
Mr. Crib
He finds fault with everything—from the coffee to company policy. Nothing escapes his radar of discontent. He thrives on venting, and no meeting is complete until he’s unloaded a fresh round of complaints.
You can sense the energy drop the moment he opens his mouth. He doesn’t need a solution. He needs to sulk.
Ms. Obnoxious
She walks in like she owns the place—and makes sure everyone knows it. Loud, dismissive, and constantly interrupting, she talks at people, not to them.
She demands respect but doesn’t return it. Her idea of team spirit: “You listen, I lead.”
Mr. Name-Dropper
Every other sentence starts with “When I was speaking to the big boss…”
You wonder how someone can have such frequent chats with leadership and still miss the point of humility.
He name-drops not to add value, but to inflate his own. It’s all about borrowed authority.
Ms. Credit Snatcher
Success has many parents, but she’ll ensure you never meet them.
When something goes right, she’s already drafted the mail, set up the meeting, and positioned herself as the hero.
There is no mention of her team or other teams. It’s always a one-woman show.
Mr. Snitch
He’s not just an observer—he’s a chronic reporter. Any murmured frustration, half-baked gossip, or honest feedback becomes tomorrow’s breaking news at the boss’s desk.
He doesn’t need to create drama. He fans the flames from the shadows.
Ms. Suspicious
Information-hoarding is her superpower. She doesn’t believe in collaboration. She believes in control.
Every project, every update, every email is kept on a need-to-know basis—and in her world, no one ever needs to know. Her team is strictly instructed not to share information with others without her consent.
She confuses secrecy with strategy. And trust? That’s just not in her vocabulary.
While I have listed six personality types above, there are those who possess many or all of these.
Why It Matters
Know this:
Workplaces don’t become toxic overnight. They’re worn down—one interruption, one withheld update, one eye-roll at a time. These individuals, often unintentionally, create silos, sow distrust, and break momentum. What could’ve been an exciting, thriving environment turns into a place people endure, not enjoy.
What We Can Do
You may not be able to change them. But you can:
- Call out the behaviour (without disrespect).
- Avoid enabling their patterns.
- Protect your energy.
- Build micro-cultures of trust and positivity within your circle.
- Most importantly, stay self-aware.
It’s easy to spot these characters in others, but more complex to catch a little Mr. Crib or Ms. Suspicious in ourselves.
It’s not the title on your email signature that defines you. It’s how people feel after interacting with you.
Do they feel heard? Do they feel respected? Or do they walk away with a sigh of relief?
Every workplace has its share of energy-drainers. Let’s try not to be one of them.
About Me
I am a thinker at all times. I see, I think. I hear, I think. I read, I think. Every weekend I write. I would love to know what you think.