How to catch two-faced coworkers

In every workspace, you meet different people. They have varied natures, behaviour and attitude towards you. While some are like family, helping and guiding you through the corporate ladder, others are not so good. They pretend to be friends, but do not leave a chance to put you down or exploit you. And these are the two-faced coworkers you should stay away and safe from. These coworkers are always looking for weaknesses to exploit and reasons to put you in a bad-light. Here we list a few ways to catch two-faced coworkers and steer clear from them.

The biggest indicator of a two-faced coworker is his/her behaviour. And one of the key indicators is inconsistent behaviour. While they may be very jolly with one group, they’ll turn cold with the other. So, pay close attention to how they interact with different people within the organization. If you notice them behaving differently with an equal or junior (a rude, impolite way) as compared to with a senior (engaging in flattery and praise), you have encountered a two-faced coworker. A person who is genuine does not have to behave differently with different people, and surely not based on their ranks. Two-faced people change their behaviours to suit their preferences.

Two-faced coworkers are great at altering themselves according to situations. They twist and turn facts during a communication, such that everything plays out in their own interest. Thus, to identify a double-faced coworker, notice any changes in their behaviour between others. See if they give any conflicting statements or turn the facts in a way that will do them good. Also pay attention to their body language and non-verbal cues during conversations. Are they telling the Reporting Manager about a task and completely ignoring others contributions in it? Or are they sitting in the corner during a team meeting, chatting away before pouncing in when the seniors come in. These small clues can reveal a lot about their personality.

If you are new to an organisation, it may be difficult for you to determine who is genuine and who is just out there to stab you in the back. At this time, it is best to stay normally with people. As you are trying to decipher who is two-faced and who is not, it is best to stay low and notice things around you. As time goes by, you will get an idea about who you should be sitting with and who to avoid. It is also a good idea to steer clear of the person the majority of the group tells you to. After all, it is difficult to annoy a bunch of people, and if someone did, it is best to stay away from them.

It is also wise to keep an eye out for people who may be sabotaging others by doing things that are not acceptable and should not be done in a professional environment. If you see someone spreading false information to disrespect someone or paint them in a bad light, someone taking credit for work they did not do, or just normally waving off somebody else’s efforts, it is a big sign that the person is two-faced and it is best to stay away from them. Such actions harm the overall success of individuals and projects and you should not be a part of it all.

When you are new and cannot really decipher who is genuine and who is not, it is wise to trust your instincts regarding the same. A sketchy co-worker who only comes in when the boss is around, stay away from them! Another one who only speaks when the seniors are watching, that’s a red flag. You see someone talking bad about others constantly, no reason to believe they won’t do the same about you. So, learn to trust yourself and your instincts when you are new to a workspace or a situation. It is best to avoid such people to prevent yourself from getting into the negative loop.

Maintaining a healthy distance from two-faced coworkers is important to protect yourself and lessen the impact of their actions on your work.
First things first, set your boundaries. Limit sharing personal information with many people when you are new and do not involve them in sensitive matters. This will make sure that nobody can use your weakness against you. Then, avoid gossiping or hanging out with people who only trash-talk. Two-faced individuals often thrive on gossip and drama and it is necessary to refrain from participating in such things. But, if their actions affect you or are putting your work at risk, it might be a good time to seek support from your team lead, a senior or anybody else on the team.