Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire! Working for a Dishonest Manipulator
- Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
In my years as an organizational psychologist and career coach, I’ve listened to countless stories about bosses who bend reality, shift blame, and create chaos through deception. The Dishonest Manipulator is one of the most insidious toxic boss types you’ll encounter in the workplace. Their tactics might not always be obvious at first, but the impact on your well-being and career can be profound.
What Is a Dishonest Manipulator—and How Do You Recognize One?
This toxic boss persona thrives on smoke and mirrors. They may charm in one moment and stab your back in the next, twisting facts to suit their agenda. Their words don’t match their actions. They promise credit for your work, then claim it as their own. They conveniently “forget” agreements, rewrite history, or subtly pit colleagues against one another to keep control.
Some common signs that you might be dealing with a Dishonest Manipulator include noticing shifting stories, broken promises, or facts that don’t add up. You may find yourself blamed for situations beyond your control, or hear your own words turned against you. When you seek clarification, you are often met with defensiveness, denial, or even retaliation. Over time, the workplace becomes tense, unpredictable, and unsafe—trust is eroded, and anxiety creeps in. If you find yourself second-guessing every interaction or walking on eggshells, consider it a warning sign.
The Damage They Do: Why Dishonest Manipulators Are So Harmful
Workplaces run on trust, transparency, and psychological safety. The dishonest manipulator poisons all three. Time and time again, I’ve seen that employees working under dishonest and manipulative bosses often experience significant psychological harm, including heightened anxiety, chronic stress, and burnout, as self-doubt steadily creeps in. The uncertainty created by constantly shifting facts and hidden agendas makes it difficult to perform at one’s best, leaving teams fractured and engagement levels plummeting.
Over time, a dishonest manipulator can turn a once-healthy workplace into a political minefield, where rumors spread, honest feedback disappears, and innovation stalls. Career progression can also be jeopardized, as reputations are undermined through false narratives or behind-the-scenes maneuvering, prompting many high-performing professionals to leave rather than continue fighting a losing battle.
How to Protect Yourself: Strategies That Work
If you’re dealing with a dishonest manipulator, you’re not powerless. Here’s what I recommend:
Document everything: Keep emails, notes, and a log of key conversations or agreements. If something feels off, write it down. Documentation is your best defense if things escalate.
Set boundaries: Be clear, concise, and professional in all communication. Don’t get drawn into their drama or emotional games.
Seek allies: Find colleagues you trust and who value integrity. Quietly compare notes—chances are you’re not alone in your experience.
Speak up (when safe): Address issues directly and calmly, using facts. If you fear retaliation, consider confidential channels like HR or an employee assistance program.
Prioritize your well-being: Chronic stress takes a toll. Make time for self-care and consider seeking support from a career coach or mental health professional.
Plan your exit if needed: Sometimes the healthiest choice is to move on. Your career and health are worth protecting.
Dishonest manipulators want you to question your worth. Don’t let them. Your values, your work, and your peace of mind matter more than any toxic boss’s approval.
For more strategies on dealing with toxic bosses and building healthier workplaces, pre-order my book I Wish I’d Quit Sooner, releasing on January 13, 2026!
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Dr. Laura Hambley is a thought leader on Career and Workplace Psychology, passionate about career development. She founded Canada Career Counselling in 2009, however has specialized in career development since 1999 through her Master’s research and counselling in different settings, including outplacement and career transition firms in Alberta.
Dr. Laura learned early on that effective career planning enhances wellbeing, confidence, and clarity in one’s work and life. Combining the expertise of Psychology with Career Counselling is what she sought to do as she founded and evolved Canada Career Counselling from Calgary to Toronto, Victoria, and Halifax, providing Career Counselling and Career Coaching to thousands of clients over many years.
Dr. Laura enjoys her work as a Career Counsellor and Career Coach to professionals who are in mid- or senior stages of their career, helping them navigate complex career decisions and pivots. Her extensive experience as an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, enables her to understand and address the challenges faced by individuals, leaders, teams, and organizational cultures. Having consulted to a wide range of organizations since the late 1990s, and becoming a future of work thought leader, has enabled her to help individuals and organizations navigate the latest trends impacting today’s organizations.
Dr. Laura fulfilled her dream of having her own podcast in 2020, called Where Work Meets Life™, where she interviews experts globally on topics around career fulfillment and thriving humans and organizations. She is a sought-after keynote speaker for organizations, associations, conferences, and events.
In addition to her Master’s in Counselling Psychology (1999), Laura holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (2005) from the University of Calgary. She is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists, as well as a member of the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta and the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM). She also contributes to teaching, supervision, and research as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the University of Calgary.
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