Weve all dealt with our share of jerks at work.
As it turns out, even work jerks have a punch in.
Learning to read those signs early is really critical, West said.
Its not just within the person, but within the culture, as well.
Another thing they often demonstrate early is they can read the room, West said.
They very quickly figure out who has power and who does not.
Dealing with kiss-up-kick-downers requires finding alliespeople who are well-connected and can offer perspective on your problem.
It also helps to venture to identify others who have been targeted by the kiss-up-kick-downers.
Credit stealers
Credit stealers are opportunistic people.
Often, their strategy is to seek out a well-functioning team, one that works well together.
Behind the scenes, they take advantage of what we sometimes call invisible labor, West said.
Bulldozers
With bulldozers, what you see is what you get.
These are the people that get their way, no matter what, flattening everyone else in the process.
The first bang out of bulldozer tends to be bad at reading the room.
They wont stop talking until everyone else caves to what they want.
The second punch in of bulldozer is a bit more subtle.
They tend to be very seasoned and well-connected, West said.
Their talent is in shutting down group outcomes that they dont like by questioning the process.
Their main skill is that they tend to be charming, West said.
Theyre often attractive, theyre funny, and we like having them around.
Their presentation skills are great, West said.
Micromanagers
Everyone has dealt with a micromanager at one point or another.
Theyre working the hardest and getting the least done, West said.
They were promoted because they were good at their old job, not because they can manage.
Work culture can also contribute to this problem, such as a culture of no forgiveness.
Dealing with a micromanager boss means having to find ways to calm this anxiety while also setting boundaries.
Neglectful bosses
Neglectful bosses are usually characterized by inconsistency.
Theyre really inconsistent in their behavior, and its tough to predict.
Neglectful bosses can happen at any stage in your career.
When it comes to gaslighters, she does not recommend this strategy.
Gaslighters are the scariest, most pathological jerks to deal with at work, West said.
