Audio Version (07:26)
My most popular YouTube video is the first one I published after relaunching my channel back in August 2024: ‘7 Clear Signs Your Boss or Co-worker is Actively Sabotaging Your Success’. To date, it’s had over 20,650 views and 123 comments. You can watch it here.
In that video, I discuss seven common signs of workplace sabotage, including exclusion from communications, undermining efforts, and passive-aggressive behaviour. However, more subtle forms of workplace sabotage can be just as damaging.
So, in today’s article, I’m discussing five additional, often less obvious, signs that your boss may be trying to sabotage you, damaging your experience at work and potentially your future career.
To watch the extended YouTube version, where I go into more detail on each of the five signs, click here.
The Five Signs
1. Deliberate Mismatching of Skills and Tasks
One of the most underhanded ways a boss can sabotage you is by deliberately assigning tasks that do not align with your skills or expertise.
This is different from assigning unrealistic tasks, as it involves projects that technically you could achieve. Still, they are outside your area of strength, making them harder for you to complete.
For example, imagine you are an exceptional software engineer, but your boss continuously assigns you tasks in customer service or marketing—areas outside your expertise.
This strategy can undermine your confidence, reduce your productivity, and make it difficult to excel, especially if you are judged by the results of work in areas where you are not an expert.
2. Public Criticism or Belittling in Front of Colleagues
Feedback is a natural part of any workplace, but when criticism becomes public and excessively harsh, it’s a strong sign of sabotage. A boss who consistently criticises or belittles you in front of others may be trying to undermine your reputation, not only within your team but potentially across the entire company or even externally.
This tactic can be especially damaging in environments where reputation is critical to success.
Public criticism creates a toxic work environment, lowering morale and potentially isolating you from your peers. It’s designed to make you feel inadequate while also signalling to others that you are not competent.
Over time, this may erode your self-esteem and standing in the company, creating a cycle of underperformance that the boss can then use as “proof” of your inadequacy.
3. Overly Micromanaging Your Work
Micromanagement can be a normal managerial trait for some, but when it becomes extreme and one-sided, it can be a subtle form of sabotage. I discuss micromanaging in more detail in a previous video. You can watch it here.
A boss who is constantly looking over your shoulder, requesting constant updates, or making tiny, nit-picky corrections is essentially telling you that they don’t trust your judgment or abilities. This lack of trust can have a suffocating effect on your productivity and creativity.
Micromanagement as a sabotage tactic involves more than just controlling your workflow—it’s a method of eroding your confidence. The more your boss interferes with your decision-making and processes, the less ownership you feel over your work. Over time, this can lead to self-doubt, second-guessing, and a lack of motivation.
4. Inconsistent or Changing Expectations
Another form of sabotage is constantly shifting the goalposts, making it nearly impossible for you to meet expectations or succeed in your role.
Your boss may set one standard or expectation for your work, only to change it at the last minute or deny that those were the original instructions. This tactic makes it difficult for you to ever feel like you’ve “got it right”.
For instance, your boss might praise you for completing a task in one way and then criticise you the next time for using the same approach.
This inconsistency is not just confusing—it’s designed to make you feel inadequate and unsure of your abilities. In fact, it’s a form of gaslighting.
5. Denying You Growth Opportunities
If your boss is actively blocking your access to professional growth opportunities—such as training, mentorship, promotions, or valuable projects—it’s a sign that they may be trying to sabotage your long-term career development.
While some managers might do this out of neglect or poor management, it can also be a deliberate tactic to keep you stagnant in your role. A healthy workplace encourages growth, offering employees opportunities to improve their skills and take on new challenges.
A boss who deliberately keeps you from advancing in your career is preventing you from gaining the experiences or credentials that could help you move up the ladder.
For example, they might prevent you from attending conferences, signing up for workshops, or even volunteering for high-visibility projects. They may also give these opportunities to others in your team while excluding you.
The Wrap-Up
Recognising signs of sabotage is critical for protecting yourself and your career. While more obvious tactics like undermining efforts or withholding information are easier to identify, more subtle methods—such as public belittling, inconsistent expectations, mismatched tasks, and denying growth opportunities—can be just as damaging over time.
If you suspect that your boss is intentionally trying to sabotage you, it’s important to document these behaviours and seek advice from HR or a trusted mentor.
Above all, trust your instincts.
If your work environment feels toxic or hostile, and your boss’s behaviour is making it difficult for you to succeed, it’s possible that their actions are not just poor management but a deliberate attempt to hold you back.
The earlier you recognise these signs, the better equipped you’ll be to address the situation and protect your career.
What Next?
Again, to watch the extended version of this article, where I go into more detail on each of the five signs, click here.
If there are any specific subjects you’d like me to cover in upcoming content (it’s always so helpful!) or if you’d like help with any of the topics I discuss, message me at info@jobanks.net.
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As always, thanks for your continued support.
