Toxic coworkers derail teams; the article gives concrete negotiation-style tactics for narcissists, drama-seekers, bullies and perfectionists so leaders can keep work moving without burning out.
Every office contains people whose personalities sabotage productivity. The piece argues that you cannot change these personalities; instead you must redesign interactions as transactions, framing requests in the language each toxic type cares about so the work keeps flowing.
For a Narcissist Superstar, praise their competence first, then attach an ROI for them-time, status, or money. Frame any ask as a win for them and price the outcome, turning empathy into a business deal that they will hear.
A Drama Monarch craves attention; the fix is to make attention contingent on results. Praise specific actions publicly, but withdraw applause when they drift into fantasy, and speak in ad-copy style that ties their narrative to concrete deliverables.
Bullies thrive on fear and spectacle. The counter is to pause, request time, and answer with calm questions that turn the exchange into logistics rather than domination. Delaying, asking for clarification, and refusing to feed the reward extinguishes the behavior.
Perfectionists are driven by fear of error. Show them you respect the work by taking thorough notes, confirming they've been read, and flooding them with evidence that the task is handled. The visible proof satisfies their need for certainty and reduces friction.
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