Don't get paranoid, but there are Saboteurs all around. Am I ever happy I'm not a politician. Politicians are not the only folks that get to deal with or succumb to this category of Difficult People (DP).
There are many different types and sub-types of difficult people that we would like to discuss in the future, but I have specific issues about a certain type. My disclaimer is, I'm writing a bllk about Difficult People and am looking for some royalty-free ideas.
Here is a basic description of a Saboteur. They are found, or should I say, not seen, lurking in the shadows. They are conniving schemers who are willing to invest a tremendous amount of time and energy to get you. They will stab you in the back when you least expect it, but of course you never expect it, unless you really are paranoid.
They will sabotage your goals, promotions, relationships and your ideas. The person most vulnerable to this DP type is the one who is naive about a subject, or a person who tends not to follow through. In other words, you better be as persistent and/or driven as they are.
We have identified three main sub-types of Saboteurs. First there are the Plotters. While they are setting you up, they are making arrangements for your downfall. Here is the trap to avoid: Do not get caught without all the facts.
Then there are the Silent Runners. Deception is the name of their game. You'll never know what hit you. With them, don't get caught out on the limb. Finally there are the One Trackers. For them, the end (or their end) justifies the means. Do not allow yourself to get in the position of being the anti-cause.
Please share your ideas, thoughts, criticisms or better yet, a real life story that we can learn from (you can change the names to protect the guilty). When we posted an article about Wet Blankets, Michael Cushman, founder of Engaging Change shared some very interesting insights. We hope you will too.
