Imagine this. You’re delivering your best at work—hitting goals, getting recognized. Then comes the “power tripper,” strutting around with authority they barely earned, injecting unnecessary drama. We’ve all seen it in the Filipino workplace: someone who treats every small task like a badge of supremacy.
Whether it’s a boss who insists on micro-managing every detail or a colleague who bosses everyone around (even though they’re not in charge), power trippers thrive on control.
They get a kick out of making you feel small.
But, what if, instead of feeling controlled, you could flip the situation? Outplay them, outshine them, and do it all without breaking a sweat.
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Why Power Trippers Do What They Do
Let’s get this straight—power-tripping isn’t strength. It’s insecurity dressed up in authority. The person hogging the spotlight? Deep down, they fear losing control or fading into the background. Maybe they feel overlooked by upper management or think they’ll be noticed if they make others look weak.
In a Pinoy context, they’re that officemate who makes even the simplest tasks seem like a performance, reminding everyone (all the time!) about their “important” role. Or the manager who wants to approve every step you take, as if you need constant reminders that they’re in charge.
Download: Spot the Power Trippers Before They Derail Your Culture
How to Outsmart Power Trippers Without Losing Your Cool
You don’t have to put up with it, but fighting fire with fire won’t work. Here’s how to navigate power trips with strategy, patience, and a few good old-fashioned Pinoy moves.
1. Stay Cool, Don’t Feed Their Ego
Power trippers thrive on your reaction. If you get rattled, they get fuel for the fire.
Imagine you’re in a meeting, and this power tripper just cut you off mid-sentence, taking over your idea like it was theirs. Take a deep breath, nod, and let them finish. Then, casually bring the focus back with, “Yes, adding to what I was saying earlier…” The key? Don’t show irritation; just reclaim your space calmly.
Keeping your cool disarms them because they rely on you getting visibly frustrated. The calmer you stay, the quicker they run out of steam.
2. Spot Their Patterns: Every Power Tripper Has a Weakness
Power trippers often operate on repeat. Maybe they speak up only when the boss is around, or they always swoop in on group projects to assert authority. Observe, and you’ll find a pattern.
Say your team lead is only critical when the department head is in the room. They’re not really trying to lead; they’re performing. Once you understand this, you can anticipate their moves. Play along but stay grounded. Let them play their little “performance” for the boss, while you stay focused on actually getting the work done. Soon enough, people start to notice who’s genuinely contributing.
3. Set Boundaries Without Saying “No”
Here’s the thing—Filipinos are often polite, even when they shouldn’t be. We avoid saying “no” directly, especially to a superior. But with power trippers, you can create boundaries without seeming defiant.
Imagine your power-tripping manager assigns last-minute tasks every Friday night. Instead of saying, “I can’t,” try, “I can prioritize this first thing on Monday. For tonight, I have commitments I can’t move.” You’re asserting yourself without outright refusal, and they’re forced to respect your timeline.
4. Flip the Script: Use Questions to Put Them on the Spot
Power trippers like to take charge, but they often stumble when forced to explain their motives or process. Use strategic questions to redirect and keep them accountable.
Suppose a power-tripping coworker keeps assigning you tasks, acting as if they’re the boss. Instead of pushing back, say, “I’d like to understand the end goal better. Can you clarify how this aligns with the team’s priorities?” They’ll either have to justify their behavior or back off. This approach isn’t confrontational, but it calls them out on their lack of transparency.
5. Stay Focused on Your Own Growth and Wins
Don’t let power trippers derail your growth. Use their antics as motivation to do better. Document your wins, stay productive, and focus on your own growth instead of letting them get under your skin.
Let’s say this power tripper is constantly belittling your work. Keep a record of your achievements—praise from clients, project milestones, anything that shows your value. You don’t need to flaunt it; this documentation is for you. When others start noticing the quality of your work, it speaks louder than any power trip.
Real Strength Is Staying Cool, Not Power-Tripping
The best way to beat a power tripper isn’t by mirroring their behavior but by standing out for the right reasons. Real strength means staying composed, knowing your worth, and letting your work speak for itself.
Power trippers might get the attention in the short run, but consistent, cool-headed professionals are the ones who last. Keep a steady mind, a grounded presence, and you’ll find that their antics barely affect you.
Lead With Composure, Win Without the Drama
Power trippers may keep showing up, but that doesn’t mean they get to decide how you feel. You have the tools to keep control, build your reputation, and navigate around their games. Show strength not by reacting but by staying in control, performing well, and letting your calm demeanor say it all.
Articles
Resources
Here are some insightful resources to better understand power-tripping behavior and its impact on workplace dynamics. These studies provide useful frameworks for handling power plays at work:
1. How Power Warps Self-Perception
- Study: “Power, Distortion of Self-Perception, and Implicit Hierarchies”
- Authors: David Kipnis, Stuart Schmidt, Irene Wilkinson
- Takeaway: This foundational study reveals that those in power often see themselves as more competent than they might be, leading to an inflated self-view and a tendency to dominate others.
- Source: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (1980).
2. Abusive Supervision and Its Impact on Employees
- Study: “Abusive Supervision and Employee Outcomes: The Roles of LMX and Self-Esteem”
- Authors: Bennett Tepper
- Takeaway: This research uncovers the negative effects of abusive management, linking it to reduced productivity, job satisfaction, and morale—key issues when dealing with power-tripping superiors.
- Source: Journal of Applied Psychology (2000).
3. Power and Empathy Deficiency
- Study: “Power Reduces the Ability to Take Another’s Perspective”
- Authors: Adam Galinsky, Joe Magee, Deborah Gruenfeld, Jennifer Whitson, Katie Liljenquist
- Takeaway: Leaders with unchecked power may lose empathy for others, resulting in controlling or domineering behaviors—a common trait of power trippers.
- Source: Psychological Science (2006).
4. Narcissism and the Dark Side of Power
- Study: “The Dark Triad of Personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy in Everyday Life”
- Authors: Delroy L. Paulhus, Kevin M. Williams
- Takeaway: This study highlights how narcissistic and Machiavellian traits often coincide with manipulative, power-seeking behavior, adding context to why some individuals crave dominance.
- Source: Journal of Research in Personality (2002).
5. Power and Moral Flexibility
- Study: “Power and Moral Hypocrisy: How Power Affects Moral Judgment and Behavior”
- Authors: Joris Lammers, Diederik A. Stapel, Adam Galinsky
- Takeaway: Those in power can exhibit moral hypocrisy, holding others to higher standards than they hold themselves, which explains why some power trippers seem to play by a different rulebook.
- Source: Psychological Science (2010).
6. Power and Collaboration Challenges
- Study: “The Downside of Looking Up: Powerful Leaders’ Impact on Team Collaboration”
- Authors: Dacher Keltner, Cameron Anderson, Deborah Gruenfeld
- Takeaway: This research highlights that power can lead to reduced collaboration and communication as leaders become less open to input, creating a tense, controlling environment.
- Source: Psychological Review (2003).
7. Aggression and Dominance in the Workplace
- Study: “Dominance in Social Behavior and Workplace Aggression”
- Authors: Karl Aquino, Lisa Feldman Barrett, Richard W. Baumeister
- Takeaway: This study shows how the need for dominance can lead to workplace aggression, with individuals exercising control through negative behaviors, a hallmark of power-tripping.
- Source: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2001).
8. Power’s Effect on Self-Control
- Study: “How Power Affects Self-Control and Decision-Making in Leaders”
- Authors: Serena Chen, Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton
- Takeaway: Power can reduce self-control in decision-making, leading leaders to act impulsively and dominate rather than collaborate.
- Source: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (2005).
These resources provide a solid foundation for understanding the complex motivations behind power-tripping behavior. They’re invaluable for anyone looking to navigate, manage, or even mitigate the impact of these dynamics in the workplace.
